Joint state Senate committees passed a bill that would set a minimum distance between residences and wind turbines in an agricultural district.

A couple of Kahuku residents said they were encouraged that lawmakers were listening to their testimony, but continued to be worried about a proposed buffer of 1,000 feet, which in their view is too short.

Kahuku Community Association board member Kent Fonoimoana said a 1,000-foot buffer would not help him and other residents who anticipate noise from a proposed 10-turbine energy project.

Fonoimoana said the association supports renewable energy but wants the developer, Oahu Wind Partners, to eliminate the four wind turbines closest to residences because of the potential noise.

“;The potential impacts on the entire community are unacceptable,”; he said.

State Sen. Clayton Hee, who co-introduced Senate Bill 2526, described the measure as a “;work in progress.”;

Hee said the proposed buffer could change in future legislative action. The bill goes to the Senate floor for a vote.

Hee said even if the bill were passed, the city would have to review wind turbine projects before issuing conditional use permits.

Oahu Wind Partners official Keith Avery, who opposed extending the buffer distance, said the city has already in place noise standards based on decibel levels.

The state Office of Planning opposed the bill, saying minimum distances should be determined through the planning process on a case-by-case basis.

City Planning and Permitting Director David Tanouye was against the bill, arguing the city has a process in place to review wind turbine projects.