Military wants more rules for turbines near nuclear missiles

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The military wants North Dakota and four other states with nuclear missile arsenals to consider introducing new rules aimed at preventing conflicts between wind turbines and helicopters that provide security at launch facilities.

The military says it’s an “issue of concern” in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska.

Department of Defense and Air Force officials met Tuesday with North Dakota lawmakers and regulatory officials. The military has proposed bigger buffer zones between missile launch facilities and wind turbines in North Dakota, and special lighting on the towers.

American Wind Energy Association spokesman Tom Vison says developers already work with the Defense Department to mitigate potential risks from wind farms. He says state rules would be overly restrictive and could halt projects.