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Bill to cap wind turbine height at 350 feet draws split testimony from rural residents and industry
Summary
Sen. Bob Phelan’s proposal would ban construction of new wind turbine towers taller than 350 feet beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and add lighting rules; landowners described visual and environmental harms while developers, utilities and trade groups warned the cap would curtail efficient modern turbines and harm projects already under way.
Senator Bob Phelan opened a hearing on Senate Bill 283, a bill that would ban construction of wind turbine towers higher than 350 feet beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and require Federal Aviation Administration-approved aircraft detection lighting systems for towers over 200 feet.
Phelan told the committee the measure is aimed at limiting the visual and lighting impacts of very large turbines: “By limiting the height and limiting of towers, Montana can harness wind energy without causing environmental harms or visual nuisances.” He said the bill would not affect existing towers and that the phased start date was intended to give developers time to adjust.
Several county residents and neighbors testified in favor. Rick Holden of Dawson County urged the panel to act, saying developers were “buying up leases faster than you can imagine” and warning that “they’re planning a 5 megawatt tower … that puts them at close to 650 feet.” Lisa Bennett, a Carbon County resident, told the committee she had submitted documentation about “blade shredding,” PFAS coatings and hydraulic fluid leaks and said she was concerned about contamination of soil and water and long-term decommissioning liabilities.
Opposition came from industry and several environmental and clean-energy groups. Patrick Kawaki (spoken earlier in the record as representing tribal communities) said FAA rules already require assessments for structures over 200 feet and lighting for certain towers, and argued the bill would “restrict accessibility for Montana communities to develop wind powered energy.” Bruce Spencer of Renewable Northwest said the 350-foot cap “really precludes the most modern and efficient technologies and basically constrains the efficient use of the land,” and he warned that a height limit would require more turbines for the same output. Dan Stusick of Puget Sound Energy described a specific project under construction in Stillwater County and said retroactive aircraft-detection-lighting requirements could prevent the project from coming online on schedule.
McKenna Sellers of the Montana Renewable Energy Association told the committee taller turbines access higher wind speeds and generate more energy, and urged a no vote on SB 283. Developers and operators — including a representative who said his company plans to break ground later this year in Treasure and Rosebud counties — said the proposal would harm project economics and local tax and fee revenues.
Committee members asked technical and factual questions about FAA rules, the trade-offs between taller vs. more numerous turbines, and safety setbacks. No committee vote on SB 283 is recorded in the transcript; the hearing closed after sponsor remarks.
