Mississippi lawmakers would study wind turbines' effects on farms

A joint committee of state lawmakers would study wind turbines' effects on agriculture and recommend possible laws. The committee would include the chairs, or their designees, of specified House and Senate agriculture, energy, public utilities, and wildlife committees. The committee may invite representatives of listed state agencies, university agriculture, and farm and aviation groups to share information. At the committee chair's request, state agencies and local governments would provide facilities, help, information, and data. The committee would report its findings and proposed legislation before December 1, 2026, and dissolve on or before January 1, 2027.

The committee would consider possible safeguards and funding for wind turbine sites. Study topics include effects on neighboring property and water, safety for agricultural pilots, risks to migratory birds and the Mississippi Flyway, and money to remove turbines that are no longer used. The committee would make recommendations; this resolution does not itself set turbine setbacks or require operators to set aside money to remove unused turbines. The committee's recommendations would be due before December 1, 2026.