Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill to Impose Wind Farm Moratorium in Part of State

The Oklahoma Senate has passed legislation that would impose a moratorium on new development, construction or installation of wind farms in eastern Oklahoma until 2017.

The bill (S.B. 1440), sponsored by state Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman (R) of Sapulpa, was passed by the Senate on a 32-8 vote March 12. The measure was sent to the House for consideration.

The moratorium would include any area located east of Interstate 35 and identified as an area with an annual wind power estimate rated less than “fair” on the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory map issued Nov. ...