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Wind Power News: Oklahoma
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
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 »
Wind turbine catches fire in Johnston County
A wind turbine ignited in flames in Johnston County. The fire erupted on the wind turbine Friday night near Mill Creek. Johnston County Emergency Management shared with KFOR the below photos of the fiery wind turbine. Authorities believe the fire may have been caused by a lightning strike. Complete story »
Cold temperatures bring wind power to a halt
If you’ve driven by Lake Lawtonka in the last few days you may have noticed the cold weather has stopped the wind turbines in the area. “They are large machines. These brutal temperatures, whether it’s starting your truck in the morning or operating a wind facility, it is very, very difficult in these brutally cold temperatures. We’re also seeing that, it’s not just wind turbines. It’s natural gas, it’s frozen wellheads, it’s valves, it’s pipelines, this is incredible what we’re . . . Complete story »
Wind farm operator forced to supply privileged communications in Osage County fight
In a court case going back nearly 8 years, a Tulsa Federal Judge has ordered wind farm developer Osage Wind to turn over documents it contended were privileged communication with its legal representation. Osage Wind was sued by the Osage Minerals Council after it began construction of a wind farm in Osage County in 2013. The U.S. government joined the lawsuit in 2014 in which the Osage tribe contended the ground development for the 84 wind turbines constituted mining and . . . Complete story »
Lankford, Cramer, Hoeven, Capito, Rep. Marchant Push to Eliminate Wind Tax Credit
WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) along with Representative Kenny Marchant (R-TX) today introduced legislation to completely phase out the federal production tax credit (PTC) for renewables. The bill specifies that any new projects would need to begin construction by the end of this year in order to qualify for the credit, as is the case under current law. This affirms that the extension for 2020 is the last extension . . . Complete story »
Maverick wind farm planned to start building this fall in Major County
Developers are nearing the construction stage of Maverick Wind Energy Center, a wind farm to be built in eastern Major County. Emily Brumit, Maverick Wind Energy Center developer, said Invenergy LLC expects to start construction of the 288-megawatt farm in late fall 2020, with a target operational date in December 2021. Maverick is planned to be built on 55,000 acres of land, beginning south of U.S. 412 between Ringwood and Lahoma, and running south to the Kingfisher County line. Transmission . . . Complete story »
Public Service Co. of Oklahoma’s wind plan takes flight despite Texas’ rejection
American Electric Power isn’t trimming its sails on its plan to buy three under-construction wind farms covering north-Central Oklahoma. Officials at the utility, parent of Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, said it remains committed to pursuing the plan despite Texas regulators’ recent decision to not approve a cost-recovery mechanism for the utility in that state. “We are disappointed that our customers in Texas will not be able to benefit from the low-cost wind energy the north central projects will provide,” . . . Complete story »
