Rep. Allen Andrews, his wife, Robin Andrews, Atchison County Clerk Susette Taylor, Rep. Jay Eggleston, and Trent Watson, MAC lobbyist, watch as Govenor Mike Parson signs HB 220 Bill.

Gov. Mike Parson has signed legislation sponsored by State Representative Allen Andrews that will ensure tax revenues generated by wind farm projects stay local. The bill (HB 220) was approved by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the Missouri House and Senate during the 2019 regular session

Andrews said the legislation is of vital importance to the Northwest Missouri region because of the numerous wind farms that produce millions of dollars in revenues annually. Under current law, the tax revenues generated by a wind farm owned by a public utility are spread throughout the utility’s service grid rather than stay in the local area where the project is located.

While there are currently no wind farms in the state owned by public utilities, there is a wind farm under development in Atchison County that will be owned by Ameren. Andrews said more than $1 million of tax revenue from the project will stay in the area as a result of the bill’s passage.

“I want to thank my colleagues for their support and Gov. Parson for signing this important piece of legislation into law. With this we can keep our tax dollars at home and provide a huge boon to our county infrastructure, our schools, and vital services such as our fire and ambulance districts,” said Andrews, R-Grant City.

The bill also establishes the Task Force on Wind Energy to research the economic benefits and drawbacks of wind turbines, statewide assessment and taxation of wind turbines and their connected equipment at the county level, compliance with state and federal programs and regulations, and potential legislation that would provide a uniform assessment and taxation methodology for wind turbines.

With the governor’s signature, the bill is now set to become law on August 28.