Residents call for stricter wind farm regulations in nuisance complaint case

CANADIAN COUNTY, Okla. —A group of residents from Canadian and Kingfisher counties have filed a nuisance complaint against an Oklahoma wind farm.

The residents said the wind turbines were built too close to their homes and they have become an unwanted nuisance.

Cheyenne Ward moved to the area six years ago for the peace and quiet.

However, she said since wind turbines have gone up it has been difficult for her family to sleep.

“It’s very loud, it’s like a swooshing sound,” Ward said. “A lot of times it sounds like you live at an airport.”

The wind turbines are part of a project by the company, Kingfisher Wind, to put up 149 wind turbines in Canadian and Kingfisher counties.

In 2014, Ward and six other residents filed a nuisance complaint trying to stop turbines from going in, but she said the company built them anyway.

Now the residents are back in court asking that some of the wind turbines be removed.

“We would like to see some regulations made for setbacks, we’re asking 2 miles from property lines,” Ward said.

If the judge allows the case to go to trial, some turbines could have to be removed.

“We’re not saying that we want to get rid of wind farms, we just want to see something done to protect the people that live here,” Ward said.
The judge is expected to make a ruling on this case at a later date.

The attorney for Kingfisher Wind said he had no comment on the case at this time.