Federal Judge Hears Arguments Over Wind Farm Near Okarche

The fight over a large wind farm near Okarche made its way to federal court for a hearing on Tuesday.  Neighbors say the wind farm is infringing on their lives. 

A group calling itself “The Oklahoma Wind Action Association” says Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy has been erecting wind turbines on land they shouldn’t be allowed to build on, since a group of residents filed their lawsuit two years ago.

Cheyenne Walker and her family lives five miles east of Okarche and a few miles east of Waterloo. “We just want to get healthy setbacks to where people are protected,” she said. “You know we’re not against people having them on their property, but we want all people to be protected. And we want to be heard. There are issues here, they do affect people.” 

An Apex and “Kingfisher Wind” Spokesperson issued a statement Thursday that said, “We have appreciated the opportunity to demonstrate to the court that the plaintiff’s claim is without merit.  We look forward to the court’s ruling in this case.” 

The federal judge has not said when he would issue his ruling.