Wind farm proposal has doubled in size
Facility planned for McDonough and Warren counties now calls for up to 134 turbines
A wind farm proposed for portions of McDonough and Warren counties has roughly doubled in size from the projections announced locally last fall.
The developer of the proposed wind farm met with a McDonough County Board committee Wednesday about the scope and impact of the project.
Curt Bjurlin of Wisconsin-based EcoEnergy told the County Board’s finance and insurance committee he was in the area meeting with landowners. He said the current plan is for a 200-megawatt farm, meaning up to 134 turbines split between the two counties, with a project cost of between $400 million and $450 million.
Last fall, plans called for a 100-megawatt farm with 67 turbines and a total cost of about $200 million.
Local officials said the project size has increased since then because of the wind potential the site has produced during testing.
The turbines would be placed 1,000 feet apart in rows that are about one mile from each other. A typical turbine, Bjurlin said, is 397 feet tall at the top tip of its blade.
The property being considered runs from north of Sciota into Warren County.
The company has already completed an assessment of the local wind resources, and Bjurlin said they were found to be “very favorable.” But he stressed the project is in its early stages.
“We have many steps to go before we come to you with a potential permit application,” he said.
Bjurlin showed committee members a map of landowners who have expressed interest in having turbines on their land. He added that the company tries to stick to field fence lines for construction. “It makes for better farming practices, and it also makes for better neighbors,” he said. “We try to keep them as out of the way and unobtrusive as possible.”
Bjurlin estimated the wind farm would bring in more than 200 jobs for the construction — expected to last eight to 12 months — and between 10 and 20 jobs once construction is done. He said the jobs would be a mix of local people and those brought in by the company.
No timetable for construction was given Wednesday.
Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation Director Kim Pierce said Warren County is considering extension of its enterprise zone from Monmouth for the project, and McDonough County can link the project’s land to its current zone. She said the extensions will offer the developer only the sales tax exemption the zone provides and not any property tax exemptions.
Bjurlin said EcoEnergy is working in seven Illinois counties and is nearing completion of a 100-megawatt farm in Stevenson County. A bus trip to that site for local officials is being planned.
By Jodi Pospeschil
14 January 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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