Joint energy committee rejects bill to cap turbine height in Arkansas waterfowl areas

A joint House–Senate energy committee considered House Bill 11‑98 on proposed limits for wind turbines in areas used by migratory waterfowl and voted against advancing the measure.

The bill, introduced by Representative Jeremiah Moore (R‑District 61), would have barred turbines taller than 150 feet within a five‑mile radius of sites where 11 or more bird bands were recovered over the last 10 years and would have limited turbines on some leased sites to 50 feet. Sponsors said the measure was aimed at preventing displacement of ducks and geese that support hunting economies in eastern Arkansas. The committee voted on a motion to "do pass as amended" by voice vote; the motion failed.

Why it mattered

Proponents framed the bill as conservation legislation to protect the state’s wintering and stopover habitat along the Mississippi Flyway, highlighting local hunting and tourism revenue they said depends on waterfowl. Opponents — including wind developers, agricultural aviation representatives, and conservation groups — said the measure would amount to a near‑statewide moratorium, curtail private landowners’ ability to lease land and reduce economic development without settled science showing broad harm in Arkansas. Several witnesses urged a study bill or use of existing federal and state guidance for siting instead of an across‑the‑board height cap.

Sponsor arguments and the bill’s provisions

Representative Jeremiah Moore, who presented the bill, said the proposal was ‘‘based upon conservation’’ and rested in part on a post‑construction study from South Texas that he said showed a 77 percent local decline in waterfowl after turbines were installed. Moore said HB 11‑98 would prohibit turbines within a five‑mile radius of sites where 11 or more bird bands were collected in the past decade and would define ‘‘under…