Lawmakers Close To Deal On Wind Energy Tax

Oklahoma lawmakers are closer to a deal on taxing the wind industry.

The plan seems to have bipartisan support and would tax the wind industry in a similar way to the oil and natural gas industry. Representative John Echols of Cleveland County says the plan would increase revenue each year.

 "It would be on future wind projects. It would be one dollar per megawatt hour. It would be an increasing revenue stream," Echols said.

Producers in the Wind energy industry say they are on board as long as the plan won’t apply to existing projects. This bill would also stop the state from writing tax refund checks to wind energy.

It will be presented to state representatives Monday.