Developers of a proposed 121-turbine wind farm in Western McIntosh County may find themselves facing gale-force opposition to their project.
Half a dozen opponents to the wind farm attended a county commissioner meeting Monday morning, Oct. 21, asking commissioners to call for a year-long moratorium on the project to give folks time to study the plan in greater depth.
The opponents also invited the commissioners to attend a public meeting at the Apostolic Church in Hanna Tuesday night, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m., when they expect 100 or more to be there.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has no control over the turbines that make up the wind farms – that authority lies with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The TransAlta Corporation, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, filed a notice with the FAA on Feb. 28 stating its intent to build the Canadian River Wind Farm and gave notice to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission about its intent on Sept. 9.
The first wind turbine is expected to be 970 feet at the site near Lenna (670 feet above ground level, and 1,640 feet above sea level.
Oklahoma, with about 5,527 turbines, reportedly has the highest number in the country. Kansas has the second highest, with 4,245, and Illinois has 3,719.
Dawn Stacy, a Hanna resident, is one of the most vocal opponents.
“Itisalegalrequirement that any Wind Farm development company,and Oklahoma state agencies to provide public notice regarding Wind Farming Activity,” she said. “This information is hard to find and we believe that higher-level government and private corporations are not acting in the best interests of McIntosh County residents.”
After the opponents made their request for a moratorium on the construction project, Assistant District Attorney Greg Stidham warned them not to get their hopes up.
“I can’t tell you that the moratorium is enforceable,” he said.
But the protestors were not discouraged and were adamant about putting the construction on hold.
Among their complaints, the company has not signed a road use agreement, which will allow the county to not be responsible for the wear-and-tear on the roads due to the heavy blades and other materials.
Other complaints voiced at the Monday meeting,: – the turbines dry out and pollute the soil.
– pollute the water.
– cause a variety of illnesses.
– damages homes and buildings due to the constant vibrations by the turbines.
– in addition to damaging the environment harms wildlife and farm animals.
– decreases the value of the landowners’ property.
