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House committee approves statewide wind-energy rules after heated debate
Summary
The House Insurance & Commerce Committee approved Senate Bill 437 to impose statewide permitting and siting standards for utility-scale wind projects while sponsors and opponents agreed to study the issue during the interim. The bill passed on a voice vote after hours of testimony from crop-dusting pilots, timber and renewable-energy groups.
The House Insurance & Commerce Committee on Monday approved Senate Bill 437, a measure that places statewide permitting, setback and other regulatory requirements on utility-scale wind projects.
Proponents said the bill creates a temporary regulatory framework while lawmakers study wind development over the interim; opponents called it an effective ban that would chill private landowner contracts and economic investment.
“I'm here to offer an alternative solution to this complex issue,” Representative Jeremy Wooldridge told the committee, urging a study that includes all stakeholders. Crop-dusting pilots and agriculture applicators testified at length about hazards they say turbines…
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