Wind Power News: Illinois
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Wind shift ahead in Lee County?
DIXON – A third of Lee County Board members have taken a stand on the controversial proposal for a wind farm in the county’s southwestern corner. The rest either are undecided or haven’t returned Sauk Valley Media’s calls for comment. The 24-member board will vote on the wind farm Tuesday. Now, the two highest-ranking board members favor the wind farm, but want its approval subject to conditions. Last month, Chairman Rick Ketchum, D-Amboy, came out in favor of the project . . .
Developer has not complied with rules
If you or I desire to construct a building or structure on rural property in Lee County, a building permit application must be completed and submitted for zoning approval. It requires our disclosure of selected building characteristics, building plans, a site plan, and a LESA soil evaluation and assessment report. There are no exceptions or waivers. Every bit of information required must be submitted, or we won’t be permitted to build our proposed structure. A developer who desires to construct . . .
Status of wind farm project up in the air
The status of a wind farm project is now up in the air in Mercer County. BP Wind Energy was proposing a 100 wind turbine project south of Aledo, involving several counties. But the Houston based company is selling its wind business, including 16 operating wind farms in nine states plus projects in various stages of development, according to “Bloomberg.com”. The last time WRMJ talked with local project spokesman Roger Brown was in 2012, when they were hopeful for 2013 . . .
Chairman pushes wind compromise; Ketchum wants conditions on proposed local project
DIXON – The chairman of the Lee County Board still supports a proposed wind farm, but he is pushing a compromise that would include strong conditions on the project. Rick Ketchum, D-Amboy, said he and others are working on the conditions. He provided few details. Last month, the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3-2 to reject Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power’s proposed wind farm for the county’s southwestern corner. In rejecting the 53 turbines, the zoning board majority contended the . . .
Lake Land board hears about energy savings, wind turbine delays
MATTOON — The Lake Land College Board of Trustees during Monday’s meeting learned that upgrades to the campus infrastructure have shown on average $112,687 in energy savings over the past four years. While there was plenty of good news to go around regarding energy savings, several trustees had questions about the lack of progress with the wind turbines, which were erected in early 2012 and have mostly stood still since. Representatives from The CTS Group, contracted as the school’s life . . .
State’s renewable energy fund lacks power to fulfill purpose
Five years ago, Illinois passed legislation requiring electric suppliers to buy more renewable energy such as wind and solar power and then pass those costs on to customers. The intent of the mandate was to have so-called green electricity accounting for a quarter of the power flowing into residences and businesses by 2025 while fostering homegrown jobs and cleaner air. But that was before customers of the state’s two major electric utilities defected en masse to other suppliers that purchase . . .
RICL not in county’s best interest
Rock Island Clean Line, an overhead megawatt transmission line, would transmit electricity from Western states energy sources to a converter near Morris. The electricity will continue on the PJM System that Illinois nuclear plants use to supply Chicago and the East Coast. A private Texas venture capitalist group, RICL drew a 130-mile path across Illinois to construct the line. It has filed this route with the Illinois Commerce Commission and requested the change status from private to public. As a . . .
Hoopeston wind farm building permit extended for a year
DANVILLE — Vermilion County has extended for another year Apex Wind Energy’s building permit for the proposed 43-turbine Hoopeston Wind Project west of Rossville. The extension gives the Virginia-based company until April 2014 to break ground. The extension also allows the project to adhere to parameters set out in Vermilion County’s original wind ordinance, requiring turbines to be 1,000 feet from a primary structure, which includes houses. Since the project’s permit was first issued early in 2012, the county has . . .
County looks at wind ordinance; Apex seeks extension
DANVILLE — The issue of wind turbines in Vermilion County will continue at Tuesday’s county board meeting. Board members are slated to receive the recommendation report from the Wind Panel Advisory Board as well as discuss the extension of the building permit for the wind turbine project in the Hoopeston area. Assistant State’s Attorney Bill Donahue said the Charlottesville, Va.-based company Apex submitted a request in mid-April for a one-year extension to the building permit issued for the Hoopeston project . . .
Foes and issues clearly point to petition denial; Project means noise, shadow flicker, reduced property values
Lee County Board Chairman Rick Ketchum says he will vote against the zoning board’s recommendation to reject the special use application for a 50-turbine wind farm in southwestern Lee County. The zoning board met more than 30 times over the course of 10 months and heard testimony from both sides of the issue before members came to their conclusion to reject the petition. Mr. Ketchum attended one, maybe two, of those meetings and somehow thinks he knows better. Over the . . .
