January 16, 2013
Oklahoma

Some Canadian County residents considering lawsuit over wind turbines

Jan. 16, 2013 | www.koco.com

Some Canadian County residents are doing everything they can to stop two wind farm projects that would be built near some homes.

Residents said they are considering a lawsuit against the company which plans to build 400 turbines on 46,000 acres of private land leased by farmers in Canadian and Kingfisher counties. The land is unincorporated with no zoning laws.

Gary Don Taylor said his property has breathtaking views. However, those views will soon be disrupted.

“You can oversee the valley. You can oversee the old Chisholm Trail Valley,” said Taylor. “From our house we are going to have at least 17 turbines within a one-mile radius.”

Some homeowners are claiming the turbines will devalue properties.

“The state doesn’t regulate them. They can be as loud as they want. They can be as close to your home as they want. They can do the shadow flicker, when the sun gets behind the blades it’s like a strobe light affect,” said Pam Suttles.

Suttles is part of a group of homeowners trying to convince commissioners to put regulations in place before the project begins.

“98 percent of the money that comes into the county comes from the cities,” said Suttles. “It really comes from the eastern part of the county. This will destroy the growth pattern of Canadian County.”

KOCO Eyewitness News 5’s Naveen Dhaliwal contacted the county commissioners. Dhaliwal was able to speak to one. That commissioner is in favor of creating a zoning committee.

The wind farm project is expected to break ground in April.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/16/some-canadian-county-residents-considering-lawsuit-over-wind-turbines/