Oklahoma Senate revives wind setback bill in final days

Summary:
– Senate Bill 2 would require larger setbacks for wind turbines.
– Lonnie Paxton says the Oklahoma Senate will take up the bill.
– Supporters and critics remain divided over wind energy impacts.

On Thursday, the supposed last day of Oklahoma’s 2026 regular legislative session, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said he is planning to have the chamber take up a 2025 bill mandating wind turbine setbacks from homes and property lines.

Senate Bill 2, by Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston; Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, and now Paxton, would require wind towers and turbines capable of generating at least 500 kilowatts to be 2.5 times the tip height, generally 500 feet or more, away from homes and 1.5 times the tip height, generally 300 feet or more, away from “nonparticipating property lines.”

To be deemed “nonparticipating,” the owner of the adjoining property must not have a written agreement with the owner or operator of the wind tower or turbine regarding siting, compensation, easement or participation of any kind.

However, the setback mandate may be waived if the homeowner or nonparticipating property owner consents.

In May 2025, SB 2 stalled after the House sent it back to the Senate with amendments. Since 2025 was the first session of the 60th Legislature and 2026 marks the second, lawmakers can still discuss and resurrect 2025 measures with legislative leadership’s backing.

During the 2025 legislative session, SB 2 passed in the Senate despite Democratic and Oklahoma Freedom Caucus pushback. In the House, the bill narrowly failed the first floor vote, but after amendments and upon reconsideration, SB 2 passed with heavy opposition.

In September, Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, a lawmaker representing the panhandle and several northwestern counties, held an interim study to show the need for renewable energy production in Oklahoma and how wind and solar setbacks would negatively impact it.

During the study, Murdock said wind and solar setbacks go against his conservative Republican values.

Oklahoma already mandates wind tower or turbine setbacks of about 1.15 miles from the center of any airport runway, public school or hospital.

Federally, wind projects must receive clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure turbines do not pose hazards to flight paths, and the Pentagon must green-light applications for large wind farms before starting development, as they could interfere with military radar or cause other problems.

According to the American Clean Power Association, the Pentagon has stalled more than 150 planned onshore wind farms across the U.S. by delaying reviews previously considered routine since last summer.

President Donald Trump has called wind turbines “very expensive” and “very ugly,” choosing instead to promote fossil fuels to meet increasing power demand due to artificial intelligence and the rise of data centers.

Paxton’s SB 2 announcement came after he shut down hearing further House bills within minutes of Wednesday morning’s gavel in, declaring a lack of a quorum and closing legislative business for the rest of the week. State representatives, Democrats and the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus decried the move, saying there is more work yet to be done.

According to multiple reports, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert communicated with state representatives after Paxton held a Friday press conference, writing that the House may have to contemplate pushing for a special session to send its priorities to the finish line.