Wind turbines will whirl through the State Capitol and stir up a storm on the Senate's agenda today as the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce plans to discuss current industry regulations and practices associated with the turbines.

The committee will hear testimony from the Public Utility Commission of Texas on the siting process for wind turbines, wind generation industry representatives on the impact of industry regulation and local land owners on the private property rights. Members of the public also can participate in the discussions.

The hearing is set for 9 a.m. in the Betty King Room of the Texas Capitol.

"This hearing will allow the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce to review the pros and cons of regulating the siting of wind turbines," said Texas Sen. Troy Fraser in a news release. "I am confident that this review will assist the Legislature in making policy decisions that help develop wind energy in those areas where it is welcome and encouraged."

Wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity. The United States wind industry grew by 45 percent in 2007, and over half of the growth was in Texas, the leading state in wind energy production. Currently, 2,000 wind turbines dominate the West Texas skies; most of them are clustered together on large acres of land called wind farms.

Texas also has the record for the world's largest wind farm, Horse Hollow Energy Center, that spreads across 47,000 acres in Taylor and Nolan counties. The wind farm in Sweetwater is second in the size rankings, while the state's Buffalo Gap wind facility is fifth. The largest new Texas facility is the Roscoe Wind Farm, located about 50 miles west of Abilene.