Oklahoma wind farm development facing local and potential legislative opposition

CHANDLER — A massive wind farm development facing local resistance in Lincoln County could lead to a push for legislative changes at the state Capitol.

As Enel Green Power continues to press forward with plans for the 15,000-acre Cedar Run Wind Project, frustrated residents are pushing back.

In recent months, they’ve booted a powerful state lawmaker from office while erecting “No wind turbines” signs throughout the rural county that’s home to about 35,000 people, just east of Oklahoma City. Residents launched a Facebook group that has drawn over 2,000 members as well as a website urging their neighbors to pressure elected leaders to pass more stringent regulations on the industry.

“I have never liked the idea of wind turbines, especially not in my county,” said Jeannetta Stipe, a resident of Agra. “They are annoyingly loud. I do not want to hear them while I am trying to go to bed at night.”

Newly-elected state Rep. Jim Shaw, of Chandler, said he believes resistance to wind development “was a big contributing factor” to his victory in the Republican primary. Earlier this year, Shaw unseated incumbent Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, to win the House seat in District 32, which includes Lincoln County.

Shaw said local concerns over Cedar Run drove him to run for office, and that he plans to file legislation linked to wind power.

“I’m still framing the details behind what that legislation will look like, but I am looking forward to collaborating with like-minded legislators to present effective bills to achieve what our constituents desire,” he said.

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Rapidly growing wind industry has faced roadblocks in Oklahoma

The fight in Lincoln County is the latest dispute over wind development in the state.

The industry has grown rapidly from 2010 to 2023, according to an August analysis released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The report found that Oklahoma’s generation of electricity increased by 25% during that time, with almost all that growth being due to wind energy.

In 2023, Oklahoma was the nation’s third-largest wind energy producing state behind Texas and Iowa, the report found.

Opponents have argued that wind installations devalue property and cause nuisances. They have previously pressed for additional regulations on the industry and urged lawmakers to end state tax incentives.

Critics of the Lincoln County development want legislators to pass more stringent protections for landowners who don’t want the turbines nearby and to ask the state’s attorney general to weigh in on whether counties can pass their own zoning restrictions through ballot initiatives.

The developer of Enel’s Lincoln County project didn’t respond to requests for comment.

But Jeff Clark, president and CEO of the Advanced Power Alliance, said he’s aware of the concerns. Enel is a member of Clark’s trade association.

“I have been in this business for more than 13 years, and I have seen communities pushback on the introduction of wind energy,” he said. “Usually, they have been told a lot of things that are not true about the safety or community impacts of wind turbines.”

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Clark said he owns a 53-acre farm in coastal San Patricio County, Texas, that is located in the middle of a wind farm. He said developers work very hard to find communities where wind projects will be most welcomed. Oklahoma is attractive because it has “legendary wind energy.”

Oklahoma lawmakers have ended state tax incentives for newly erected wind farms, though some projects that were built and grandfathered in might still receive some benefits, he said.

But he said the federal government still offers tax incentives for wind developers.

Clark believes if people understood the benefits of wind energy they would be more welcoming.

“I think once people understand how wind energy is produced, they want wind energy because it lowers their electric bills and produces energy without creating dirty air or dirty water,” he said “It also means that the state’s economy is more diversified which allows it to ride out the ups and downs of other industries.”

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Supporters of the developments also note that they provide additional revenue for farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners, and that they increase the amount of money counties collect in taxes.

But the issue is divisive.

Brandon Wolff, a fifth generation resident of Lincoln County, said he believes landowners should have the right to choose if they want the developments.

“Every situation and circumstance is different for all people,” Wolff said. “If you do not want your neighbor to sell or lease their land, then buy it. If you do not have the means to buy it, then deal with it. Nothing should be formed to stop us from having the rights of our land decided by others.”

Editor’s note: This story was produced through a reporting partnership between Oklahoma Voice and the University of Central Oklahoma’s journalism program. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Neighbors of wind turbines frustrate Lincoln County residents

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