Republican Rural Caucus Chair pleased with signing of eminent domain bill to protect landowners

Governor Mary Fallin signed a measure into law Tuesday that will protect landowners from the threat of eminent domain when companies are looking for locations to build wind turbines. Sen. Ron Justice, the author of Senate Bill 124, said the new law is important given the growing interest and success of the wind industry in the state.

“Oklahoma has an abundance of natural resources which help provide a tremendous boost to our state’s economy so it’s important that we protect and utilize those resources. However, it’s also important to protect the rights of landowners,” said Justice, R-Chickasha.

SB 124 prohibits the power of eminent domain to be used for the siting or erection of wind turbines on private property.

“The wind industry is exploding in our state and across the nation, which is great for our economy but we need to make sure that we don’t put the interests of the industry above our state’s landowners,” said Justice, Chair of the Republican Rural Caucus. “This bill simply clarifies that landowners have the right to decide whether they want wind turbines on their property or not.”

The bill was requested by concerned landowners who were approached by representatives of the wind industry who wanted to put wind turbines on their land and mentioned the possible use of eminent domain.

Justice is also the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services.