Protect
Rice County
Over 100 industrial wind turbines, each 600 feet tall, are proposed across our farmland, our communities, and our way of life.
Rice County residents have signed
What's happening in Rice County
A large-scale industrial wind energy project threatens to permanently transform our agricultural landscape and communities.
101 potential turbine locations filed with the FAA. These are the sites NextEra submitted for obstruction review, so final placements may vary. Click a marker for details.
See which landowners have signedSearch the lease map by owner and parcel to find out what has been signed next to you.→100+ turbines
A wind energy developer has filed plans with the FAA for 100+ industrial wind turbines across Rice County.
580 feet
Proposed turbines would stand approximately 580 feet tall, nearly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty.
That is almost five Little River water towers stacked on top of one another, and nearly twice the Ellsworth turbines already standing in the next county.
The project footprint spans from the Lyons area south to Sterling, east toward Little River and Windom.
Affected communities include: Lyons, Sterling, Little River, Windom, Raymond, Alden, Chase, Bushton, and surrounding rural areas.
The Rice County Planning & Zoning Commission and County Commissioners will decide whether to approve the project.
NextEra Energy
The project, filed as “Rice Wind” with the FAA, is being developed by NextEra Energy, one of the largest industrial wind developers in the country.
Their projects have faced organized opposition across Kansas. Reno County's planning commission rejected a NextEra wind farm, the first such rejection in the state. Communities cite declining property values, broken promises, and aggressive tactics toward rural landowners.
Why We're Concerned
These aren't hypothetical worries. They're documented impacts from industrial wind projects across the country.
Property Values
7–25%
documented decline for homes near turbines
Studies have documented property value declines of 7–25% for homes near industrial wind turbines. For a rural county like Rice, where property and land are families' primary wealth, this is devastating. Reduced property values also mean reduced tax revenue for schools and county services.
Health & Quality of Life
Industrial turbines generate low-frequency noise and infrasound. Residents near existing wind farms across Kansas have reported sleep disruption, headaches, and stress. Turbines also produce shadow flicker, a strobe-like effect from spinning blades, that affects nearby homes during certain times of day.
Scale & Proximity
These are not small windmills. At 600 feet, each turbine is nearly twice the height of the Statue of Liberty. With 100+ turbines proposed, the visual and physical impact on the landscape would be massive and irreversible.
Farmland & Rural Character
Rice County's identity is rooted in its agricultural heritage and open prairie. Industrializing thousands of acres permanently changes the character of the land and community that generations have built and maintained.
Wildlife
Wind turbines kill thousands of birds and bats annually. Central Kansas is a critical flyway, and Rice County is near Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, two of the most important wetland habitats in North America.
Risks to Local Water Aquifer
5 feet
to the water table in places
Portions of Rice County's water table are as shallow as 5 feet below the surface. The bases of the proposed turbines extend 20 feet into the ground and span 60 feet in diameter, posing a serious risk of contaminating or disrupting the local aquifer that residents and farmers depend on.
Who Actually Benefits?
Fewer than 15
permanent jobs once construction ends
The electricity generated will not stay in Rice County. It feeds into the Southwest Power Pool grid and is sold elsewhere. Construction jobs are temporary (12–18 months). Permanent operations jobs are minimal (typically fewer than 15). Meanwhile, non-participating landowners bear the costs.
- 44
- live in Rice County
- 69
- live outside it
113 wind lease signers in total, 61% of them living outside the county. Compiled from public county records as of March 2026.
Kansas Communities Are Winning
Across the state, organized residents have successfully pushed back against industrial wind projects. Here's the proof.
10 counties that pushed back, numbered as below.
Rejected
Reno County
Planning commission rejected a NextEra wind farm after organized residents pushed for stronger setbacks. First such rejection in Kansas.
Stalled
Douglas County
Residents lobbied for stricter regulations that stalled a wind proposal.
3-Year Moratorium
Franklin County
Achieved a 3-year moratorium on wind and solar construction through organized advocacy.
Moratoriums / Bans
Shawnee, Harvey, Linn, McPherson Counties
Adopted moratoriums or bans on new wind installations after community pushback.
2-Year Moratorium
Dickinson County
Planning commission voted 6–1 for a 2-year moratorium on Hope Ridge Wind Farm.
Court Victory
Sumner County
Landowners won a court case. The judge ruled commissioners lacked authority to issue the Conditional Use Permit.
Developer Abandoned
Osage County (2026)
Developer Steelhead Americas (Vestas) abandoned the Auburn Harvest Wind Project after the county unanimously blocked wind and solar development.
Rice County can do this too.
But only if we organize and show up. Every county above started with neighbors who decided the decision was theirs to make.
- 10
- Kansas counties pushed back
- 6
- of them won moratoriums or bans
- 1
- developer walked away entirely
Take Action Today
Three concrete things you can do right now to protect Rice County.
01
Sign the Petition
Add your name to the growing list of Rice County residents opposing industrial wind turbines. Every signature strengthens our case to the commissioners.
Sign Now02
Contact Your Commissioners
They decide whether this project moves forward. Let them know where you stand.
03
Attend a Meeting
Show up. It matters. County commissioners and P&Z board members pay attention to who fills the room.
Rice County Courthouse
101 W Commercial, Lyons, KS
(except federal holidays)
Next P&Z Meeting
April 29th 7:00pm @ Rice County Courthouse
Sample Letter to Commissioners
Dear Commissioner [NAME],
I am writing as a concerned resident of Rice County to express my opposition to the proposed industrial wind turbine project ("Rice Wind") that would place over 100 turbines, each approximately 600 feet tall, across our county.
I urge you to consider the following:
• Property values near industrial wind turbines have been documented to decline 7–25%, directly affecting the primary asset of rural families.
• The scale of this project, 100+ turbines spanning from Lyons to Sterling to Little River, would fundamentally and permanently alter the character of our communities.
• Rice County is located near Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, two of the most important wetland habitats in North America. The impact on migratory birds and wildlife could be devastating.
• The electricity generated will not serve Rice County residents. The benefits flow out of our county while the costs stay.
Other Kansas counties, including Reno, Franklin, Dickinson, and Osage, have taken action to protect their communities. I ask that you do the same for Rice County.
Please represent the interests of Rice County residents, not out-of-state developers.
Respectfully,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]Customize this letter with your name and specific concerns before sending.
Sign the Petition to Protect Our County
Your commissioners need to hear from you. Every signature on this petition will be presented directly to the Rice County Commission and Planning & Zoning Board.
Ways to help
Chip in, keep up with what is coming, and read the record for yourself.
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Resources
Links to official county pages, research, and community resources.