The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission has decided to implement emergency rules to improve low-flying aircraft safety caused by meteorological evaluation towers (METs) in wind energy industry.
The commission is waiting on the final approval by Governor Mary Fallin of the rule, already passed by the legislation.
The regulation is designed to protect low-flying aircraft from towers used to measure and record wind speed.
According to the directive issued by the legislation, these METs or anemometer towers need to be marked, painted and flagged for clear visibility of pilots to minimize the risk of collisions.
The individuals and companies who own anemometer towers have to paint it entirety with seven alternating bands of aviation orange and white in addition to fixing marker balls and safety sleeves to the guy wires.
Towers erected prior to the date the Commission have time till Nov. 13, 2015 to comply with the rules.
Owners of all towers have to provide the Commission with the location and height of towers within a specified amount of time, failing of which will result in fines ranging from $100 to $2,000.
Besides, Commission will develop a database to detect, identify and record the location of all such towers.
In some places, towers with a height of 200 feet and above are erected by the wind power industry to help determine locations for future wind farm projects.
Towers below 200 feet will not fall into this category.
These rules will ensure additional safety of low-flying aircraft pilots such as crop dusters and emergency medical personnel.
The concerns arise from a 2013 accident in the Oklahoma Panhandle when the pilot of a crop duster was killed when the aircraft crashed into an anemometer tower followed by another on in California, which resulted in a $6.7 million unfair-death settlement.
Moreover, agriculture community groups approached the commission expressing concern over the safety of low-flying aircraft.
Consequently, during the May session of the parliament, House Bill (HB) 3348 rule was passed.
“HB3348 was in no way meant to stifle the growth of wind farms in our state. The wind industry plays an important role in bringing alternative energy solutions to the state as well as creating jobs. We appreciate the dialogue and input both the wind and agriculture industries provided during this whole process,” explained, Vic Bird, director, Aeronautics Commission.
Recently, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has made strong demands, urging governors of every state to implement the marking of the towers so that risks of collisions with the flying public would be minimized.
Sabeena Wahid
editor@greentechlead.com