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	<title>National Wind Watch: News Watch &#187; Illinois</title>
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	 	<title>National Wind Watch: News Watch &#187; Illinois</title>
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	<description>Industrial Wind Energy News</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:48:53 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Walnut approves wind turbine ordinance</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/09/walnut-approves-wind-turbine-ordinance/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:36:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[WALNUT — After a lengthy debate and months of meetings, the village of Walnut finally has an ordinance to regulate wind turbines outside the village limits. The board approved the ordinance at its meeting Monday. “Finally it’s over,” said Walnut Village Board President Rob Brasen. The Walnut Village Board approved the final version of the ordinance at its meeting Monday on a 5-1 vote, with Duane Christensen casting the negative vote. The ordinance had moved back and forth between the .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18935</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Proponents of wind farms full of hot air</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/07/proponents-of-wind-farms-full-of-hot-air/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:07:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Lake Forester readers would benefit from knowing what is being touted in a sister publication, the Lake County News-Sun. In an OUR VIEW commentary published in the News-Sun on Jan. 31, it was related how Waukegan Mayor Robert Sabonjian “may be on to something when he speaks of the future and a wind farm off the city’s Lake Michigan shoreline.” A little over two weeks ago, Mayor Sabonjian suggested that the project was a great use of the lake that .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18851</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Sangamon County officials set meetings to discuss wind turbines</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/07/sangamon-county-officials-set-meetings-to-discuss-wind-turbines/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Two public meetings scheduled for later this month will give people an opportunity to comment on a potential wind farm in the western part of Sangamon County. The first meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 715 E. Illinois St. in New Berlin. The second will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 29 in the county board chambers on the second floor of the Sangamon County Building at Ninth and Monroe Streets. .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18848</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Boone County Board to give wind farm law a closer look</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/06/boone-county-board-to-give-wind-farm-law-a-closer-look/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:43:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[BELVIDERE — Boone County officials are ready to re-examine and rewrite county laws that govern wind farms. Politicians here have wrestled with how to handle the electricity-generating turbines since the first request in the county for weather-testing equipment was made about a decade ago. The issue is contentious, dividing County Board members’ votes and landing the board in court over its decision to deny a wind farm in 2005. With a new wind-energy company announcing its presence in Boone County, .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18768</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Group says rules could harm their Ogle farms; Panel pushes wind farm noise restrictions</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/03/group-says-rules-could-harm-their-ogle-farms-panel-pushes-wind-farm-noise-restrictions/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:36:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[OREGON – Will the government seek to muffle farm noise? Some say it could happen. An agricultural leader contends an Ogle County proposal for noise restrictions on wind turbines could end up being used against farms. Brian Duncan, Ogle County Farm Bureau president, opposes a proposed standard that would bar wind turbines from creating noise more than 5 decibels above background noise. He said it could be used to prohibit farm activity such as grain drying. “The courts have ruled .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18692</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Ogle County wind farm a health risk</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/02/ogle-county-wind-farm-a-health-risk/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:19:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[On Jan. 17 at the Ogle County Board meeting, some people with special interests said the proposed Wind Energy Conversion Systems Text Amendment is not acceptable. As president of the Ogle County Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan has used its resources to support Industrial Wind Turbines both in Ogle and neighboring counties. During his sworn testimony at Ogle County’s Zoning Board of Appeals hearings, Duncan admitted to being a layman and agreed that public health and safety are important. He also .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18596</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind moratorium passes; hearings scheduled</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/01/wind-moratorium-passes-hearings-scheduled/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:16:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Sangamon County has passed a moratorium on wind energy projects. The move was made last week by the full county board after originally being proposed in November. It freezes all potential wind project development in the county and allows the zoning ordinance effecting wind farms to be updated. The moratorium anticipates plans for a 200-turbine wind farm on land that goes from the Morgan County line to Farmington to Loami to Pleasant Plains. The project, developed by American Wind Energy .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18525</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Proposed changes could help those who live near Woodford Co. wind farms</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/30/proposed-changes-could-help-those-who-live-near-woodford-co-wind-farms/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:26:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[EUREKA &#8212; Some proposed changes to the Woodford County zoning code will help landowners who live near wind farms, but whose properties are not involved in the projects. &#8220;We are trying to protect people who live in and among these (wind farms) without (the turbines) interfering in their daily life,&#8221; said Shannon Rocke, a member of the Conservation, Planning and Zoning Committee. &#8220;It&#8217;s about property rights. These (turbines) are going to be up for 30 years.&#8221; CP&#038;Z member Duane Kingdon .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18459</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Galva council approves Kewanee zone extension</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/28/galva-council-approves-kewanee-zone-extension/</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:23:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Galva, Ill. — A public hearing was held at Monday night’s Galva City Council meeting to discuss an amendment to the Kewanee Enterprise Zone. Kewanee City Manager Kip Spear led the hearing. He said that the hearing was a formality, in order to add four wind turbines being erected by Invenergy that had been located out of the original zone. The turbines will be in the second phase of the Bishop Hill wind energy project. The towers will be located .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18426</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Council doesn&#8217;t wind farm turbines on city property</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/26/council-doesnt-wind-farm-turbines-on-city-property/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:14:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Don’t look for wind farm turbines to be built inside Washington’s city limits, or even inside the city’s 1.5-mile jurisdiction. The Washington City Council reaffirmed that stance recently so city staff could pass along the message to residents and wind energy firms looking to build a wind farm in the area. “We had some residents ask us about turbines being built on their property because they see them as a revenue source, but other residents have told us they definitely .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18298</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Woodford County Zoning Board approves wind energy revisions</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/26/woodford-county-zoning-board-approves-wind-energy-revisions/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:04:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[EUREKA — Perhaps it was appropriate the Woodford County Zoning Board of Appeals meeting Tuesday night dealt mostly with wind energy. The meeting certainly featured plenty of energy. By the time the meeting ended, almost four hours after it began, the appeals board had approved revisions to the Woodford County Zoning Ordinance section that regulates wind-energy conversion systems. &#8220;Our committee wants to make sure wind energy in Woodford County is safe,&#8221; County Board member Duane Kingdon said. Kingdon belongs to .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18299</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Schools drop plans for wind farm on Osceola Road</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/25/schools-drop-plans-for-wind-farm-on-osceola-road/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:40:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Kewanee, Ill. — A consortium formed by three school districts in the Chicago area has dropped plans to build a 13-turbine wind farm in northern Stark County and, instead, buy wind energy produced by Invenergy LLC, at its wind farm near Bishop Hill. According to an article on the Illinois Wind Energy Association’s news site, plans were discontinued last summer when the consortium could not find a way to finance the project without using public funds. Invenergy proposed a 20-year .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18224</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Woodford zoning board approves wind-energy changes</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/25/woodford-zoning-board-approves-wind-energy-changes/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:31:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[EUREKA — Revisions to the Woodford County ordinance that regulates wind-energy systems are one step closer to reality. During a meeting Tuesday night that lasted almost four hours, the Woodford County Zoning Board of Appeals approved changes that had been months in the making. The changes don&#8217;t take effect unless the Woodford County Board approves. The board is likely to consider the revised ordinance at its February meeting. The major changes include how far wind-energy towers need to be located .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18225</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Voice your views on setbacks</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/25/voice-your-views-on-setbacks/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:24:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[On Jan. 17 at the Ogle County Board meeting, some people with special interests said the proposed Wind Energy Conversion Systems text amendment is not acceptable. As president of the Ogle County Farm Bureau, Brian Duncan has used its resources to support industrial wind turbines both in Ogle and neighboring counties. During his sworn testimony at Ogle County’s Zoning Board of Appeals hearings, Duncan conceded to being a layman and agreed that public health and safety are important. He also .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18258</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>County to hold hearings on wind farm regulations</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/23/county-to-hold-hearings-on-wind-farm-regulations/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:19:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Sangamon County’s zoning rules allow large wind turbines within 1,000 feet of a house. For some people, that’s too close. As a result, Sangamon County is considering a moratorium on wind turbines that could last up to nine months. County officials want to use that time to hold public hearings and find out what area residents want, and whether the zoning rules need to be changed. Board member Tim Moore, chair of the county’s Public Health, Safety and Zoning Committee, .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18133</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Area wind farms may not be seen for a year</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/21/area-wind-farms-may-not-be-seen-for-a-year/</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:36:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Macomb, Ill. — Kim Pierce, administrator of the Macomb/McDonough County Enterprise Zone, told the zone management board Thursday not to expect to see construction begin on wind farms in the county until late this year or in early 2013. Pierce shared a project update letter from wind farm company ElementPower. In the letter, project manager Gina Wolf wrote, &#8220;Although you won&#8217;t see dirt moving&#8230;we still have some big upcoming goals.&#8221; She went on to state that the company is negotiating .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18107</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Technical change to setback; Taller turbines would require longer distance</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/21/technical-change-to-setback-taller-turbines-would-require-longer-distance/</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:57:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – A Lee County committee is recommending the county keep the current required distance between homes and wind turbines. For those turbines taller than 400 feet, though, the setback distance would be greater, based on a formula. The Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals addressed the contentious issue in a rare Friday night meeting. Most of the turbines in Lee County are lower than 400 feet, although the new ones near Compton are about that height. Under the board’s .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18070</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Disapproves of Lee zoning board actions</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/21/disapproves-of-lee-zoning-board-actions/</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:56:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[As reported by recent coverage in the Telegraph, the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals endorsed new wind farm noise rules on Jan. 5. To the chagrin of the 80-plus citizens in attendance, the passage of these rules was conducted undemocratically and, most likely, illegally. Zoning Administrator Chris Henkel read the proposed rules aloud from a document authored and submitted by Mainstream Renewable Power, the very wind company that is seeking a special use permit to foist a monstrous noise-producing, .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=18072</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>County committee OKs wind farm plan</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/county-committee-oks-wind-farm-plan/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:29:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DANVILLE — The second wind turbine project applying to build in Vermilion County received its first green light Wednesday night. Despite concerns voiced by a couple of residents, the county’s structural safety committee approved a permit application for the construction of the Hoopeston Wind Energy Farm on the north end of Vermilion County. GDF SUEZ Energy North America Inc. based in Houston, Texas, is coordinating the project, which calls for the construction of 43 wind turbines along a stretch from .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17942</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Official: Wind company not drafting rules</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/official-wind-company-not-drafting-rules/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:27:01 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – Lee County State’s Attorney Henry Dixon said Tuesday that he normally sees all of the documents that will be presented at meetings of the committee that is drafting a new wind energy ordinance. In recent weeks, some have contended that a wind energy company is drafting the rules. Dixon said that was not the case. He attends nearly all of the meetings of the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals, although he doesn’t often speak during the sessions. The .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17918</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Company resubmits wind farm application in Vermilion County</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/19/company-resubmits-wind-farm-application-in-vermilion-county/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:24:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DANVILLE &#8211; An international company interested in building a 40-turbine wind farm west of Rossville has resubmitted its request to the Vermilion County board for a building permit. About a year ago, International Power America Inc., which merged with France-based GDF Suez, submitted its application to the county for a wind farm but pulled it from consideration just before the county&#8217;s structural safety committee made a decision on the permit. According to county officials, the company pulled its request because .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17975</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Panel to discuss wind farm setback – at last</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/panel-to-discuss-wind-farm-setback-at-last/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:54:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – Last, but not least. After months of meetings, the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals is expected to address what many consider the most important wind farm issue – the distance between homes and turbines. The board has addressed other issues in drafting a proposed wind energy ordinance. Earlier this month, it voted on noise regulations for wind farms. Board Chairman Ron Conderman said he expects the board to discuss the setback distance at its meeting Thursday. After .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17890</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>City to hold hearing on wind turbines</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/city-to-hold-hearing-on-wind-turbines/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:49:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[When a cold wind blows, local industrial sites may be generating renewable energy. The city&#8217;s License and Ordinance Committee got to work last week on adapting a sample ordinance for the siting of wind turbines, and Local 150 may be the first property owner to use it. The ordinance will govern the siting of larger facilities &#8211; Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) and substations that generate electricity to be sold to wholesale or retail markets. Owners of small towers that .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17893</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Settlement limits Libertyville wind turbine’s hours of operation</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/17/settlement-limits-libertyville-wind-turbines-hours-of-operation/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:06:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit over Aldridge Electric’s wind turbine in Libertyville. A group of neighbors calling itself Citizens for Protection of Libertyville filed the lawsuit against Libertyville and Aldridge Electric in 2009 over Aldridge’s 120-foot tall wind turbine at 844 E. Rockland Road. Under the proposed settlement agreement, Aldridge has agreed to limit the hours of operation of the wind turbine from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and to comply with village standards .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17815</guid>
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				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Lee&#8217;s turbine noise protection is inadequate</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/17/lees-turbine-noise-protection-is-inadequate/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:22:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[In his Jan. 9 article [“Who’s writing wind rules? In one case, company’s draft OK’d word for word”], SVM reporter David Giuliani asked who’s writing the wind ordinances and pointed out the wind developers seemed to have heavy influence on important topics being considered by the Lee County Zoning Board, including noise and decommissioning. He’s absolutely right. Despite numerous complaints from people living near wind projects in Lee, DeKalb, Bureau and other counties all over the state, the zoning board .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17821</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Group eyes new rules on turbines</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/16/group-eyes-new-rules-on-turbines/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:11:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[In a move that could affect wind farm development in Illinois, the American Bird Conservancy recently asked the U.S. Department of the Interior to use its legal muscle to protect birds from wind turbines. The group filed a petition recently asking the federal government to use powers contained in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to force planners to limit the impact of turbines on birds from the very start of a new development. The ABC thinks wind farms should be .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17784</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>County board nixes fines</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/14/county-board-nixes-fines/</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:57:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[PRINCETON — The Bureau County Board narrowly defeated a motion Tuesday that would have sought fines for the Iberdrola Renewable wind farm. At the meeting, board member Joe Bassetti made a motion to have Bureau County State’s Attorney Patrick Herrmann go before a judge to seek fines for three wind turbines and a meteorological tower in the Providence Heights wind farm that were built too close to adjoining properties. The violations have since been remedied, either by the purchase of .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17756</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Regulations are needed on all wind farms</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/13/regulations-are-needed-on-all-wind-farms/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:50:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Ogle County is beautiful and offers much to its residents and visitors. It’s the home to three state parks, six nature preserves, and the Rock River that offers much in the form of recreation, sports, and relaxation. I believe that most residents want to preserve what we have, but there are those who want change for their financial gain. I’m referring to the development of wind farms. Ogle County has taken a thorough look at the effects that wind farms .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17760</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>IVCC wind turbine plan spins closer to reality</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/12/ivcc-wind-turbine-plan-spins-closer-to-reality/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:34:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[An effort to construct a wind tower on Illinois Valley Community College’s campus is making progress. IVCC’s audit/finance committee on Wednesday recommended the full board allow an Ameresco representative to file on behalf of the college an application for over $900,000 in grant funding from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation. Reed Wilson, special projects assistant to the president, also recommended the college seek Request-for-Proposals for a consultant to work on an environmental study that would need to be completed for .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17705</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Libertyville approves wind turbine settlement</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/12/libertyville-approves-wind-turbine-settlement/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:03:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Settlement of a lawsuit involving the lone wind turbine in Libertyville is nearing completion but the issue of how those facilities will be regulated in the future remains open for debate. The Libertyville village board on Tuesday accepted a settlement agreement with residents near Aldridge Electric on Rockland Road, although residents have not yet signed off on the latest version. “We knew nothing about any of this. We don’t have a finished copy of the agreement, we have a tentative .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17630</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Libertyville resident wants tighter wind turbine regulation passed</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/12/libertyville-resident-wants-tighter-wind-turbine-regulation-passed/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:02:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Village trustees deferred making a motion on a proposed text amendment that would regulate wind turbines. Residents who live near a wind turbine in Libertyville had hoped to hear an outcome Tuesday when the Village Board was set to act on a proposed change to an ordinance regulating wind turbines. They were, however, disappointed. Village trustees approved deferring the issue to a future Committee of the Whole meeting so they could discuss the issue further. The delay should not have .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17658</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Ford County Board gets another request for greater turbine setbacks</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/11/ford-county-board-gets-another-request-for-greater-turbine-setbacks/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:25:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[PAXTON — The Ford County Board has been confronted with yet another request from a resident concerned about wind farms. And again, the board offered no discussion on whether it would consider adopting stricter regulations. In the past year, the board has repeatedly been asked — but has refused — to discuss possible revisions to the county&#8217;s ordinance regulating wind farms. Until Monday&#8217;s meeting, the requests have been made mainly by Cindy and Ann Ihrke, two candidates for the board .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17604</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Bureau County defeats motion to fine wind farm</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/11/bureau-county-defeats-motion-to-fine-wind-farm/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:25:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[The Bureau County Board voted against imposing fines on a group of four-year-old wind farm violations. Board member Joe Bassetti made a motion Tuesday for the state&#8217;s attorney to start the process to issue fines against wind farm developer Iberdrola Renewables for three wind turbines and one meteorological tower in the Providence Heights wind farm that were built too close to adjoining properties. Bassetti said he wants the county to issue the fines to send a message to future wind .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17600</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Who&#8217;s writing wind rules?</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/10/whos-writing-wind-rules/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:08:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – This week, Lee County Zoning Administrator Chris Henkel read aloud proposed noise regulations for wind farms. He did so at a meeting of the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Board members had a copy beforehand. No one else did – except for representatives of a wind energy company that wants to put up turbines in Lee, Whiteside and Bureau counties. Some people are getting suspicious that Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power is getting much greater access to the rule-making .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17527</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Ogle County influencing Lee County</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/10/ogle-county-influencing-lee-county/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:04:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – Lee County has had wind farms for years. Neighboring Ogle County has none, although it’s expecting one soon. Despite its experience, Lee County has leaned heavily on Ogle County as it reviews its wind energy ordinance. When the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals began the process last summer, it used a proposed Ogle County ordinance as the basis for a review. As the board makes changes, the county updates the website under an item with an Ogle .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17521</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm noise rules endorsed</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/06/wind-farm-noise-rules-endorsed/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:37:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – A Lee County committee on Thursday recommended noise rules for wind farms, requiring studies before and after turbines are built. But some pushed for the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals to include a specific decibel limit for turbines’ noise. The Zoning Board’s recommendations for the county’s wind ordinance will go to the full Lee County Board, which has the final say. The proposed rules call for wind turbines to comply with Illinois Pollution Control Board noise regulations, .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17378</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Letters]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Safe setbacks are needed to protect people</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/05/safe-setbacks-are-needed-to-protect-people/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:48:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[How do industrial wind turbines affect agriculture – an industry to be protected in Lee County? GPS and VRT fertilizer applications work intermittently (in other words, you can’t use it), cellphones for business as well as emergencies won’t be reliable, and crop dusting will not be done safely within a mile of a turbine, so this will affect the ability to get specialty crop contracts. Wind turbine companies recently have been trespassing on non-participating properties, and farmers’ ability to use .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17315</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind projects move forward</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/05/wind-projects-move-forward/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:43:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DANVILLE — A Vermilion County Board committee meeting for the county’s second wind farm has been scheduled for later this month. Bill Donahue, an attorney for the county, confirmed the date during Tuesday’s joint meeting of the county board’s finance and executive committees. The structural safety committee, according to Donahue, is scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 18 on the second floor of the courthouse annex, 6 N. Vermilion St. Committee members will hear the details of the permit .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17303</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Panel may eye setbacks this week; Issue is over distance between turbines, homes</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/03/panel-may-eye-setbacks-this-week-issue-is-over-distance-between-turbines-homes/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:25:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – No one should bank on it, but the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals might finally dig its teeth into the biggest issue related to wind energy regulations. That would be the required distance between wind turbines and homes. On Dec. 15, the panel spent the last 10 minutes of its 2-hour meeting looking at the setback issue. It had planned to resume the debate at its meeting last week. But that didn’t happen. Instead, the board was .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17275</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Developers asked to pay five times more per turbine in Iroquois County</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/03/developers-asked-to-pay-five-times-more-per-turbine-in-iroquois-county/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:24:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[WATSEKA — The Iroquois County Board will begin requiring the developers of wind farms to pay $50,000 in financial securities for every wind turbine they build — five times what previously was required — to protect the county in the event a wind farm operator goes bankrupt and abandons its project. A revised decommissioning plan for wind farms was approved by the board 20-2 last month, requiring a $50,000 cash escrow account be provided for each tower. The $50,000 cash .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17261</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Company, county officials working out financial security</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/03/company-county-officials-working-out-financial-security/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:20:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[WATSEKA — Officials with E.On Climate &#038; Renewables, the developer of two wind farms in operation in Iroquois County, said they are working with State&#8217;s Attorney Jim Devine to negotiate how to provide financial securities related to the decommissioning of wind turbines. Under the county&#8217;s decommissioning plan for wind turbines — before revisions made last month — developers were required to pay a $10,000 surety bond for each turbine. But no bonds have been collected for E.On&#8217;s two wind farms .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17262</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>A lot of noise about noise</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/30/a-lot-of-noise-about-noise/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:02:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – The Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals had planned to discuss at its meeting Thursday the controversial issue of how far wind turbines should be from homes. Instead, the panel discussed another issue that had gone unresolved in a previous meeting — noise regulations for wind farms. After 2 hours of debate, the five-member board decided to delay a vote on proposed noise rules. Member Mike Pratt presented a proposal for noise that would require wind energy companies .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17193</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm construction set for 2012</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/27/wind-farm-construction-set-for-2012/</link>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:13:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DANVILLE — The winds of changing have things moving quickly in the establishment of wind farms in Vermilion County. Last year marked the initiation of the first wind turbine project in the county. The permit for Invenergy Wind LLC was approved by the Vermilion County Board in July and the company began preliminary work for the project in November. Vermilion County received a check on June 10 for $104,000 as an application fee from Invenergy to construct 104 wind turbines .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17088</guid>
		</item>
					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>How far should turbines be? Counties have different standards for setbacks</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/26/how-far-should-turbines-be-counties-have-different-standards-for-setbacks/</link>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:24:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – Is there a magical number for how far wind turbines should be from homes? In Whiteside and Lee counties, the required distance is 1,400 feet. Some counties have shorter setbacks; at least one county’s is greater. A few months ago, Brown County in central Illinois voted in a 2,000-foot setback, which may be the state’s longest. In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker proposed a statewide 1,800-foot setback. In most cases, wind energy companies can negotiate with their neighbors to .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17053</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>No welcoming committee for wind farms; Hamilton Township among communities in opposition</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/24/no-welcoming-committee-for-wind-farms-hamilton-township-among-communities-in-opposition/</link>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:12:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[WALNUT – Stacy Gonigam’s family decided against having wind turbines on their farm in southwestern Lee County. Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power approached the family for its Green River wind farm, which is planned for Lee, Whiteside and Bureau counties. Gonigam said she didn’t sign a contract with Mainstream because it would bind her family for a long time. “They wanted us to sign a 70-year contract,” Gonigam said. “That would affect my kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” Gonigam also is the .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=17033</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm rules near completion</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/22/wind-farm-rules-near-completion/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:26:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[OREGON – Wind farms in Ogle County are on hold for 2 more months, thanks to a third extension of a moratorium that began in April 2010. The County Board voted 18-5 Tuesday to continue the moratorium until Feb. 29 while new rules governing them are finalized. Board member Bill Welty said the new text amendments to the zoning ordinances are being fine-tuned but will be ready to present to the board in January, with a vote expected in February. .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=16948</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Wind farm lawsuit against DeKalb County, landowners is settled</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/21/wind-farm-lawsuit-against-dekalb-county-landowners-is-settled/</link>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:57:14 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DeKalb County Board President Larry Anderson said the dismissal of a nearly 2-year-old lawsuit against the county and multiple county landowners over the creation of a wind farm was “an early Christmas gift.” Citizens for Open Government – a group of local residents opposed to the wind turbines in the county – dismissed the lawsuit Friday after reaching a settlement with NextEra, the builders and operators of the wind farm and one of the many defendants. Details of the settlement .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=16889</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Official lashes out at wind firms; Turbines&#8217; noise, shadow flicker addressed Thursday</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/16/official-lashes-out-at-wind-firms-turbines-noise-shadow-flicker-addressed-thursday/</link>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:44:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[DIXON – Tom Fassler, a member of the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals, had had enough Thursday. For 6 months, he and four other board members have been considering changes to the county’s wind energy ordinance. Fassler has often been in the minority calling for stricter rules. And, as he points out, he lives among turbines. At Thursday’s meeting, Fassler, a farmer like the others, took his colleagues to task. “You don’t have any respect for my opinion,” he .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=16761</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Iroquois County: Board ups turbine fees fivefold</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/15/iroquois-county-board-ups-turbine-fees-fivefold/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:00:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Wind farm developers will be paying a lot more if they want to erect turbines in Iroquois County. The county board approved a revised wind energy ordinance Tuesday that increases decommissioning fees for towers fivefold &#8212; to $50,000. The action also ends a moratorium on new wind energy projects that has stood since November 2010. The moratorium was originally for six months, to allow revision of the wind energy ordinance, but that process has taken seven months more. The $50,000-per-tower .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=16721</guid>
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					<item>
				<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category>Wind power</category>
		<category>Wind energy</category>
		<title>Union pickets Bishop Hill wind farm site</title>
		<link>http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/15/union-pickets-bishop-hill-wind-farm-site/</link>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:05:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<description><![CDATA[Cambridge, Ill. — Members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 began picketing this week at the Bishop Hill Wind Project currently under construction in Henry County. Strikers showed up at the sight Monday after learning that a non-union company, Oscar J. Boldt, of Appleton, Wis., had been hired to erect 50 wind turbines in the second phase of the project. Union business representative Roy Pritchett said the Wisconsin contractor had started work on a lay-put yard. Invenergy, .&#160;.&#160;.]]></description>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.wind-watch.org/news/?p=16691</guid>
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