Advocates say wind energy could help states meet growing energy demand and save ratepayers money. But Madelyn Smith, program manager with the Southeastern Wind Coalition, said changes in the wind industry have allowed turbines to be built taller, while House Bill 677 caps wind turbines at 350 feet.
“So some of the new larger turbines are more in the 600- to 700-foot-tall range, so capping them at 350 feet across the state essentially makes the projects not economical to build,” Smith said.
Supporters of the regulations say wind turbines can bring noise and light pollution to communities, visually affect the landscape, potentially lower property values and pose safety risks.
Smith said the bill sends a negative signal to wind developers looking at Kentucky, but it has not deterred projects already in the works. She said a large-scale wind farm is slated for construction in Henderson County.
“It would be a 200-megawatt project,” Smith said. “They’re proposing to build 43 turbines. But because we now have these taller hub heights, it’s just a lot easier to construct a project in a flat agricultural area.”
According to the World Economic Forum, Texas is the current leader among states in wind energy use. Kentucky is among 10 states without any active wind energy generation.
