HB 1549 Summary

• Extends wind energy facility construction notice requirement from 30 days to 180 days before entering the surface estate to conduct oil and gas operations.

• Requires wind energy facility owners to file financial security with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission prior to construction commencement (instead of after 15 years of operation) for facilities entering interconnection agreements on or after January 1, 2016.

• Prohibits wind energy facility tower bases within 1.5 nautical miles of public-use airports, private-use airports with FAA notice filed, municipal airports, public schools, or hospitals.

• Requires wind energy facility owners to file notification with the Corporation Commission within 6 months of FAA Form 7460-1 filing and publish notice in newspapers; mandates public meeting within 60 days of publication before construction may commence.

• Establishes $1,500 per day administrative penalty for failure to file financial security or for commencing construction without meeting notification and public meeting requirements; emergency clause makes act effective upon passage.