State Representative Tim Turner (R-Kinta)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, today commented on the failure of legislation that would have created setback requirements for industrial wind turbines in affected counties.
House Bill 2751 failed to pass in the Senate Energy Committee on a 4-6 vote.
Turner previously described the legislation as a culmination of hours of negotiations between people on both sides of the issue – advocates of setbacks and those who argued the issue is about preserving private property rights.
“I am very disappointed in this bill failing,” Turner said. “I will stay committed to work through this process, and I assure the citizens in House District 15 that I will continue to listen to you and fight for your property rights while fighting against 720-foot wind turbines and subsidies that fall on the backs of each taxpayer.”
Turner said though this bill failed, the fight to secure similar legislation is not over. The Legislature has until the last Friday in May before final adjournment.
HB2751 would have created setback requirements of 1.5x the windmill tower height from the point on the property line of the windmill parcel nearest to the point on a property line of any parcel of real property affected; or 1/2 nautical mile away from the nearest point of a “dwelling,” which is defined as a structure that is occupied by at least one person for at least half of the year in counties with a population density greater than 8.5 people per square mile, and those with an average wind speed of less than 9.5 miles per hour.
Turner previously successfully opposed a proposed wind farm project in McIntosh County on behalf of the citizens of House Districts 15 and the surrounding area who voiced concerns about the potential impact the project would have had on their local communities. The project was stopped.
Turner said the issue goes beyond the aesthetics of wind turbines and instead represents constituents’ interests in protecting their communities, which overwhelmingly do not support the turbines. He listed potential effects on water resources, infrastructure, public safety, wildlife and tourism as being among the biggest concerns.
Turner thanked his constituents for allowing him to be in this fight and for the privilege of representing them.
“While I cannot guarantee the outcome of each piece of legislation, I do guarantee I will fight for your concerns with everything I have available,” he said.
Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.
Get Local News!
