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Committee passes statewide regulation bill for utility-scale wind projects amid sharp debate
Summary
Senate Bill 437, setting statewide standards for large wind turbines and directing an interim study, passed the committee despite opposition from developers and some landowners; crop-dusting and forestry groups urged regulation to protect aviation and agriculture.
Representatives Brad Hall and James Eaton presented Senate Bill 437, which the sponsors described as a package of statewide standards and setbacks for utility-scale wind turbines and a mechanism to trigger an interim study during the legislative interim.
Rep. Hall said the measure is not a moratorium but would put “regulations across the entire state” and give the interim study time to evaluate best practices. Supporters from the agricultural aviation community said the bill would protect crop-dusting operations that make frequent, precision applications over Arkansas rice and other crops. Matt Willard and Cole Hartley, both aerial applicators, testified that turbine pads, meteorological towers and turbine turbulence can make precision aerial application unsafe or infeasible in some fields, and they sought setbacks and grandfathering for projects already under way.
Opponents included developers and trade groups who asked the panel to use a lighter regulatory touch. Simon Mahan of the Southern Renewable Energy Association said the bill would be an “effective ban” in practice, urged a scalpel rather than a hatchet to regulation, and requested participation in any interim study. Timber and private-land interests emphasized property-rights concerns; Weyerhaeuser’s witness said the current draft could prevent development on large tracts owned by private forest owners.
Utilities and developers noted several federal reviews already apply (Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Department of Defense) and that county and contract agreements play a role. Supporters said existing approvals do not address local agriculture pilot safety and that Arkansas should set statewide standards now to avoid multiple grandfathered projects that could be difficult to regulate later.
After extended testimony and discussion, including requests for an interim study and clarifying amendments, the committee voted to pass the bill. The record shows strong division among agriculture aviation, timber and landowner groups on one side and renewable developers and some industry groups on the other.
