Hearing set on Osage request to stop wind farm

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – A hearing has been scheduled on the Osage Nation's request to stop construction of a proposed wind farm in Osage County.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell on Wednesday set the hearing for Dec. 14.

According to a court filing, attorneys for Wind Capital Group said they agreed with the plaintiff that a hearing for a preliminary injunction should occur soon because it will be difficult for the defendants to obtain financing until the issue is resolved. The attorneys also wrote the project must start next month and be completed in 2012, which is the deadline to qualify for a federal production tax credit.

The tribe alleges the wind turbines and their network of electrical lines and roads would interfere with oil production and harm the tallgrass prairie's ecosystem.