February 25, 2015
Oklahoma

Bill places new restrictions on wind industry in Oklahoma

AP | February 24, 2015 | newsok.com

A bill to place new restrictions on the growing wind industry in Oklahoma has passed a House Committee.

The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 11-2 on Tuesday for the bill to restrict how close giant wind turbines can be built near airports and schools, and to require wind energy producers notify nearby property owners before construction. The bill also requires a public hearing to be held.

The bill initially imposed setback restrictions limiting how close the turbines could be erected to homes or city limits,* but that language was removed in the version approved by the committee.

The bill was written by Republican state Rep. Earl Sears of Bartlesville, who also is pushing a bill to reduce tax incentives for the wind industry.

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House Bill 1549: http://bit.ly/18iff01

[rest of article available at source]

[*1/2-mile from property line and 1 mile from dwelling without permission, 1/4-mile minimum]

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/25/bill-places-new-restrictions-on-wind-industry-in-oklahoma/