Wind Power News: Oklahoma
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Schools suffer as companies protest tax valuations
OKLAHOMA CITY – When a wind farm decided to set up shop, Minco Public Schools saw its assessed tax base increase nearly $50 million in about a decade. With that increased valuation, the 250-student district, about 20 miles north of Chickasha, was able to finance a new high school, middle school and improve its athletic facilities, said Kevin Sims, superintendent. But in the past year, Sims learned that the county assessor and wind company disagreed on the valuation of the wind . . . Complete story »
Cause of damage to 2 wind turbines near Helena being investigated
HELENA, Okla. – Two wind turbines along County Road 650 south of Helena were damaged earlier this month, though the cause of the damage still is under investigation. Bryan Garner, director of communications at NextEra Energy Resources, said in an email the turbines at the Skeleton Creek Energy Center were damaged on Aug. 11 and 12. Garner said turbine malfunction is “extremely rare.” “We believe this was an isolated mechanical incident, and the cause of the damage is still under investigation,” . . . Complete story »
Wind facility owner proposes safety fixes addressing safety concerns
The owner of a dilapidated and dangerous wind farm in northwest Oklahoma plans to remove broken blades from seven towers and to fell two others that are topped with burnt-out nacelles that used to house generators. Those steps will be taken by a contractor hired by Olympia Renewable Platform LLC later this year as the owner works to address public safety threats identified earlier this year posed by the KODE Novus I and II wind facility, southeast of Guymon in . . . Complete story »
New wires? Electrical transmission line planned from Noble to Tulsa counties; public forums set
The project is separate from the 4.5 billion proposed Wind Catcher wind power project that failed in 2018 following public outcry and rejection by the Texas Public Utility Commission. That project would have centered on construction of a 300,000-acre wind farm — the largest in the United States — in Cimarron and Texas counties by international energy giant Invenergy. Complete story »
Dilapidated Panhandle wind farm towers to be cleaned up
The owner of a dilapidated Oklahoma Panhandle wind farm has presented plans to clean up the most dangerous of the wind turbine towers. The plans are to address dangerously broken-down towers and turbines of the 60-tower KODE Novus I and II wind farm near Guymon, Oklahoma, The Oklahoman reported. Owner Olympia Renewable Platform LLC has hired a contractor to remove broken blades from seven towers and topple a couple of others topped with burned-out generator nacelles. The company assured the . . . Complete story »
Commissioners support wind turbine project
Pittsburg County commissioners are hopeful a proposed wind turbine project in the county will generate more then electricity. They are optimistic it could also blow lots of money into Pittsburg County. County commissioners voted Tuesday to sign a letter of support to Red Earth Energy, Inc. for the research and possible development of a wind farm in the southern part of the county. The letter will be sent to Red Earth Energy, Inc. and is headed “To Whom It May . . . Complete story »
Dilapidated Panhandle wind farm poses safety threats
GUYMON – Broken blades and burned-out nacelles that housed generators atop wind turbine towers pose a threat to public safety at a wind farm in Oklahoma’s panhandle. The issue is so bad, a representative from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission who visited the farm reported hearing cracking sounds as large, broken turbine blades on towers blew first one direction and then another, including out over open access roads that area residents use every day. Blades could potentially “shed” from the structure, owners . . . Complete story »
Federal judge rules against Osage County wind farm operator
A Tulsa federal refused to reverse part of a Magistrate Judge’s opinions against Osage Wind, LLC in a lawsuit filed 7 years ago over its installation of 84 wind turbines in Oklahoma’s Osage County. U.S. Judge Gregory K. Frizzell issued his recent ruling in the case where Osage Wind’s construction of the wind farm constituted “mining” which would have required a lease approved by the Secretary of the Interior. The case involves a fight between Osage Wind and the Osage . . . Complete story »
Alfalfa County assessor talks Skeleton Creek money
The Alfalfa County commissioners heard an update on the Skeleton Creek valuation from the county assessor at their weekly meeting Monday. Skeleton Creek is the wind energy project located in Major, Alfalfa, and Garfield Counties that combines wind energy, solar energy, and battery energy storage. About 90 turbines are peppered throughout the three counties. Jennifer Roach explained to Marvin Woodall, Jay Hague and Mike Roach that though Skeleton Creek is protesting, there is no reason to be concerned. She said . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine struck by lighting, catches fire
A wind farm turbine in Johnson County caught fire, after it was struck by lighting during Friday night’s storms. The turbine in Mill Creek stood over two miles east of the nearest road, Highway 1, but caused no danger to the public. Emergency management responders say it was struck by lightning just after midnight and took responders nearly three hours to put out. Officials say the turbine is completely destroyed, and will cost anywhere between $2 to 5 million to . . . Complete story »
