Turbine test Wind farm studied for Lake County
A windfall profit could be heading Lake County’s way.
“We’re looking at bringing a wind farm to Lake County,” County Board member Pamela Newton said Monday.
A private energy firm has agreed to test the possibility of locating a wind farm in Lake County, which could lead to the creation of a clean-energy power grid that could reduce electricity costs for county government and other consumers.
Newton said the firm, which she is not yet identifying, has agreed to set up a test propeller to see if enough wind can be harnessed to make a wind farm feasible.
The test period, just getting under way, will last about 12 months.
“They have to test it in all four seasons to see if there is enough wind sustainability,” Newton said. “We hope to harness enough wind to provide clean energy.”
Newton said the project would be part new county environmental initiatives, which also include green buildings and landscaping on county and Lake County Forest Preserve properties and facilities.
Newton chairs a national Green Counties Initiative Committee for the National Association of Counties. That committee heads a public-private partnership, including several major national corporations, exploring clean-energy projects and other environmental efforts.
“It’s not just about counties, it’s about changing the nation,” Newton said.
County Board Chairwoman Suzi Schmidt announced Monday that as part of the board’s reorganization she is establishing a County Board Green Initiatives Committee based on Newton’s national efforts.
By Jim Newton
2 December 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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