Bill to limit wind turbine farms fails to pass committee

Yahoo

20-02-2025

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — On Wednesday, Representatives in the House Energy Committee debated about renewable energy. As wind energy contributes more and more to the state's power grid, there's pushback to new wind farms popping up.
Representative Tim Turner (R-Kinta) is behind the effort to limit wind turbine farms in Oklahoma, specifically in Eastern Oklahoma.
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Turner said the turbines impact new housing and hurt tourism.
'Residents in eastern Oklahoma have become increasingly concerned about their property rights related to the proposed wind projects in that part of the state,' said Rep. Turner.
However, a lot of back-and-forth inside the energy committee on Wednesday meant his bill wouldn't move forward.
'Green energy is not doing anything except cost taxpayers more and more dollars,' said Rep. Turner. The proposed bill covered more than half of Oklahoma's counties, which caused pushback. Leaders said Oklahoma has abundant wind energy, and harnessing it lowers electric bills.
'Wind generates 45.7% of our energy mix and keeps energy prices lower in Oklahoma than our neighbors in the power pole. So who are we protecting? The property owners or neighbors of the property owners,' said Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa).
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'I think the concern there was about private property rights and local control, which is an important aspect and value that Oklahomans have, and that was upheld today,' said Rep. Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City).
It's a setback, but Representative Turner isn't going to stop pushing.
'We'll be back. It'll be back. Every year that I'm in this house. I'm here. I'm here for the will, the people. I'm here for the people,' said Rep. Turner.
While this bill in the House Energy Committee did not pass on Wednesday, a similar one passed the Senate Energy Committee and has the chance to be heard on the Senate floor.
OG&E sent a statement regarding the energy they use from wind turbines.
OG&E operates three wind farms in Oklahoma and purchases power from other Oklahoma wind farms. We have 449 MW of owned wind power generation, and 342 MW of wind-purchase contracts. Overall, our power generation capacity mix includes 7% from renewable resources, most of which comes from wind resources.
OG&E
Public Service Company of Oklahoma also told News 4, they have more than 800 MW of generating capacity from their wind farms. For more information on PSO's usage, click here.
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