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.
Woodford County Zoning Board approves wind energy revisions
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. “Our committee wants to make sure wind energy in Woodford County is safe,” County Board member Duane Kingdon said. Kingdon belongs to . . .
Schools drop plans for wind farm on Osceola Road
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 . . .
Woodford zoning board approves wind-energy changes
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’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 . . .
Voice your views on setbacks
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 . . .
County to hold hearings on wind farm regulations
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, . . .
Area wind farms may not be seen for a year
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, “Although you won’t see dirt moving…we still have some big upcoming goals.” She went on to state that the company is negotiating . . .
Technical change to setback; Taller turbines would require longer distance
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 . . .
Disapproves of Lee zoning board actions
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, . . .
County committee OKs wind farm plan
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 . . .
Official: Wind company not drafting rules
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 . . .
