Many county residents were surprised when they learned that Canadian-based TransAlta Corporation was signing lease agreements with several landowners in McIntosh County for a wind turbine project. Leases were signed with 25 landowners around Lenna, Hanna and Stidham.
The project thus far covers 22,000 acres, where 121 wind turbines are planned.
Eventually, according to protestors, there could be 900 turbines that circle the county, the lake and parts of Pittsburg County.
The uproar began almost immediately and began spreading like wildfire a month ago – and the noise is growing louder.
Loud enough to be heard in Canada. TransAlta Corporation contacted county commissioners just before a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7 about the issue and said they will send a representative to meet with them and the public the week of Dec. 2.
“They are hearing what you all are doing. They’re watching the news and all and they are going to speak to us at the courthouse,” Chairman Robert Ziegler, District 3 Commissioner told more than 200 protestors.
Republican State Rep. Neil Hays (District-14), who has residences in McIntosh County, was among them.
“I don’t want it here anymore than anyone else,” he said. “If you call my office, we will help anyway we can. We’re already doing everything we can at the state level.”
He said he called the Oklahoma Fish and Wildlife Department, and they didn’t know about the project.
The State and National Wild Life Services might be able to put a stop to the project if it impacts endangered species.
Hays also called the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and they didn’t know about it. The same with other agencies who might be enlisted to help pull the plug on the project before it gets underway.
He urged the protestors to continue the fight and to try to solve the problem locally.
“If we do it on the state level then it impacts all 77 counties,” he said. “And some counties want it.”
Hays said Trans-Altas has not turned in any due- diligence reports on how their project might impact the environment, people, wild-life, water and livestock.
“They should not be able to put a shovel in the ground,” Hays said.
He said what is needed is a loophole.
“But you don’t want to over-regulate business. One reason they are in Oklahoma is we don’t strongly regulate business. If you don’t over regulate them, they come here. We need to make it as tough as we can. Find 15 ways to make it difficult so they’ll say they don’t want to be here,” he said, District 1 Commissioner Loyal “Dean” Taylor, co-chairman, was among those taken aback by the massive project that threatens to change the face of the county.
“I hadn’t been elected when it all started,” Taylor said.
None of the commissioners were aware of the extent of what was happening, or when construction was going to begin.
But they received a quick education by those who learned about the project a month ago.
The commissioners have been inundated with protestors at three of their weekly Monday meetings and at a special meeting held at the Fairgrounds, specifically called to begin the process of forming a Zoning Committee to slow down or stop the project. But, the issue of a moratorium kept cropping up during the often- boisterous meeting. At each meeting, the number of attendees has increased dramatically.
At meeting of the county commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the issues of the moratorium and appointing members of the proposed zoning committee were discussed, but no action taken while Assistant District Attorney Greg Stidham continues to do research on the topics.
However, potential members of a zoning committee was announced, including Dr. B.K. Glover, DVM; Leah Todd; Tony Haley; Brian Spilgene and the three county commissioners.
Word has reached the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, equally surprised by the events. District 2 County Commissioner Monty Grider said he heard from the Nation and they would be monitoring the situation.
Principal Chief David W. Hill issued a formal statement Thursday.
“It has recently come to the attention of the Executive Office that a planned wind farm in McIntosh County has some citizens concerned,” he stated.
“Some of their concerns are environmental, and some are concerned that there was no formal consultation with the Muscogee Nation prior to such a large project being planned on our Reservation lands. Over the past few days, this office has gathered all the information we can and have talked to many of the citizens about their issues with the development.”
In addition to a moratorium in McIntosh County, calling for putting the project on hold for a year or more, protestors want a zoning committee that can create ordinances that will keep the construction crews and transportation off of county roads.
Attendees of the meetings have a long list of dozens of issues created by the wind turbines – ranging from health to environment to property values.
Several protestors have initiated a petition asking that the project be put to a vote of the people.
The line of people to sign the petition was long at the Nov. 7 meeting.
“We have 90 days from Nov. 4 to acquire 3,600 signatures,” said Dawn Stacy, one of those who started the petition.
A similar petition in Craig County was on the Nov. 5 general election ballot but it was defeated by 77.79 percent of the voters – 6,048 opposed it and 1,343 voted in favor.
However, there is a difference in the two petitions. The Craig County petition would have given county officials authority to set zoning regulations on private property in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Holdenville attorney John Baca, who created a moratorium for Hughes County similar to the one being sought by McIntosh County protestors, praised the protestors for what they are doing and urged them to stick together.
“Their plan is to divide you. Get you to fight amongst yourselves,” he said. “You guys are doing what you need to do …” The commissioners support the cause of the protestors, but they aren’t certain a moratorium will be enforceable, based upon the opinion of Associate District Attorney Greg Stidham.
Stidham is helping the commissioners create a zoning committee, which may have more effect. The committee, which will consist of three county employees and four other people, was to be discussed at the Nov. 12 commissioner meeting.
Grider said the moratorium and zoning committee may not be perfect.
“But it allows us time to study potential impacts.”
A moratorium would take place immediately.
Vivian area resident Brad Newport says stopping the project may be a matter of life and death for him.
“I have a pacemaker,” he said.
He also has an autistic son who could be affected by the flashing lights and the constant sound of the fans.
“We will have to move.”
Tim Turner, a Haskell County residence, takes office as State Representative for District 15 on Nov. 20. However, he was born and raised in McIntosh County and he’s a strong supporter of the protestors.
“We’re standing with you,” he said. “I’ve been to every meeting since this started. I appreciate our county officials. Whatever we can do, we’ll do.”
Turner said what many others have said, repeating one of the most dangerous economic impacts of the wind turbines.
“It’s going to affect our tourism,” he said. “Tourism is a $250 million a year industry here. If that goes away, what does it do to your tax base when tourists leave? We all have to stick together.”
