Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain, may be the victim of its own success in the renewable-energy quest for mainstream market share. The state’s wind-power industry has been growing like a summer storm. At the same time, opposition has been stirring up its own cyclones of political opposition in the state legislature.


In January, the American Wind Power Association announced that Oklahoma has moved up two spots into fourth on the list of states with the most installed capacity for wind-power generation. After adding 648 megawatts (MW) of wind capacity in 2014, Oklahoma’s total reached 3,782 MW, surpassing Oregon and Illinois on the list.


More wind is on the way. Scheduled for completion later this year, the Kay Wind Project in Kay County, Okla., will feature 130 wind turbines and 299-megawatts (MW) of capacity, enough to power about 100,000 homes. 


Installation of the wind turbines is scheduled to begin this year, with the start of operations expected for the fourth quarter of 2015.


Meanwhile, Oklahoma politicians are blowing a lot of hot air over the industry’s growth. Recently, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 808, which would prohibit the siting of wind turbines within 1.5 nautical miles of an airport, public school or hospital and put additional financial reporting requirements on wind developers for decommissioning old wind farms. The bill also would require developers to submit information to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission within six months of when they plan to begin construction on a wind farm. Gov. Mary Fallin approved the bill on April 17.


In addition, several other bills in the state legislature this year have targeted tax incentives for wind energy, including a five-year ad valorem property tax exemption and a zero-emissions tax credit.