September 27, 2006
Illinois

Woodland turbine could be operating next year

“The wind turbine can be up and operating by this time next year,” said Kirk Heston of Johnson Controls Wind Turbine Project at the meeting of Woodland Community Unit School District Monday.

If a plan can be submitted by the end of October, a grant can be applied for from the Illinois Clean Energy Grant. That grant will not be approved until the end of April, reported Heston, and on May 1, plans can be put in motion by Johnson Controls.

Commonwealth Edison is predicting a 20 percent increase in the cost of electricity.

Heston predicts the wind turbine will cost $2.1 million and will take 20 years to pay for itself. In 30 years, the school district will save $3,633,334. Without the wind turbine, the estimated cost of electricity over 30 years will be $3.2 million.

A ground boring test will be done either this week or next to determine the necessary size of the base. The turbine would be located where the meteorological tower is now at the southeast side of the football field.

“In all likelihood there will not be any action on the wind turbine project itself at the next meeting, but action will probably be taken on what needs to be included in the project,” Superintendent Doug Foster said.

By Dee Hillyer, deeh@mywebtimes.com, (815) 431-4017

http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=267982


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/09/27/woodland-turbine-could-be-operating-next-year/