McIntosh County windfarm project canceled
Credit: By Derrick James | Jan 13, 2025 | mcalesternews.com ~~
Two southeast Oklahoma lawmakers are applauding a company’s decision to cancel their plans for a proposed windfarm in McIntosh County.
“We have been informed today by TransAlta of their decision to cancel the Canadian Valley project,” Reps. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, and Neil Hays, R-Checotah said in a joint statement last week.’
The two state representatives said they expressed their gratitude to the citizens of House District 15 and 13 and surrounding areas for their active engagement on the issue.
“Your support has been invaluable as we worked diligently with all parties involved to address concerns and evaluate the potential impact this project could have had on our community,” the two representatives said. ““Also, thank you to House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and House leadership for standing with us in through this process to assure that we are not affected by Biden’s green energy projects. This was truly a team effort.”
According to the joint statements, the two lawmakers were notified by TransAlta that plans for the Canadian River wind farm project in McIntosh County were halted.
The representatives said a meeting was held in December with TransAlta in which “they made it clear there was no pathway for the project to gain community support” and that the lawmakers were prepared to introduce legislation to change feasibility study requirements to prevent the project from moving forward in their House districts.
Both Turner and Hays said the issue went beyond the aesthetics of wind turbines and instead “represents their interests in protecting their communities, which overwhelmingly do not support the turbines” and listed potential effects on water resources, infrastructure, public safety, wildlife and tourism as being among the biggest concerns.
“While there are a lot of people to thank and many reasons to be excited about TransAlta canceling their wind project in McIntosh County, the main thing that excites me is the people from across the State of Oklahoma who have stood up to make their voices heard,” Hays said. “When We The People take a stand, when we fight to redress grievances with our government and refuse to remain silent, then great things happen. This is what excites me most about TransAlta’s announcement and to my constituents, it was an honor to stand with you as always.”
Hilbert, R-Bristow, said he applauded the efforts of Hays and Turner for their advocacy for the constituents and their concerns for the project.
“This announcement today will undoubtedly bring great relief to Oklahomans around Lake Eufaula,” Hilbert said.
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