December 19, 2013
Oklahoma

Turbines OK’d: MAPC approves use near Breckinridge

By Dale Denwalt, Staff Writer | Enid News and Eagle | December 18, 2013 | www.enidnews.com

ENID, Okla. – A proposed wind farm near Breckinridge is a step closer to being constructed.

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission unanimously gave the go-ahead to TradeWind Energy, pending final blessing of the project from the Air Force, which conducts training missions in the area.

There will be 32 planned turbine towers, but only 29 fell within MAPC jurisdiction. There was some opposition before the Monday night vote, according to a record of the meeting.

Phil Steinert, who said he and his son live in the area, believes his life will be interrupted. He also said his property value would diminish if TradeWind completes the towers.

Joe Arb, development manager for TradeWind, told the audience the company is making significant investments in Enid. Upon completion, the farm will have generated six new jobs with a payroll of more than $300,000.

Garber Public Schools Superintendent Jim Lamer was present to express his support for the towers “and the positive financial implications they would have for the school district,” according to the recorded minutes of the meeting.

Each turbine will be about 445 feet tall. The project is the second phase of Chisholm View, which already has installed 140 turbines to the north.

A TradeWind spokeswoman said the project could be completed by 2015. Most of the land and rights already have been acquired, but the company still is searching for a buyer to use the 100 megawatts of power the farm will create.

The MAPC also appointed fellow member Cole Ream to the Historic Preservation Commission. Another agenda item adopted Monday recommends to the county commission a change in the zoning laws, which would allow agricultural-zoned properties of less than 20 acres.

The planning commission also recommended the city of Enid rezone 1401 N. 30th from agricultural to light industrial, and approved a lot split in the Feightner First Addition.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/19/turbines-okd-mapc-approves-use-near-breckinridge/