September 28, 2007
Illinois
Illinois
Horizon Wind Energy has proposed a new wind farm in the same areas of Livingston and LaSalle counties already under consideration by another developer.
The Texas-based company has submitted an application for Top Crop Wind Farm, which would have about 200 turbines on 18,200 acres in the Cayuga Ridge area near the towns of Blackstone, Odell, Pontiac and Ransom.
The special-use application to the Livingston County Board says the project would create 250 construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs while generating $3.6 million in direct tax revenue and $1.8 million in landowner leasing and neighbor agreements annually.
It is expected to generate enough energy to power 120,000 homes annually.
The application also promises the wind farm will not impede growth, development and improvement of surrounding properties, will not endanger public well-being, will have minimal noise emissions and will pose no significant risk against birds.
PPM Energy, a wind power company based in the state of Oregon, also filed two applications in Livingston County in July.
Bill Whitlock, Horizon director of development for the Top Crop Wind Farm, said it is becoming common for multiple wind farm developers to submit applications for the same land.
“This is not unique and this is an issue that is popping up all over the country as good sites become scarcer,” Whitlock said. “There is no question that it is possible that turbines from two companies can be on the same land, but it is a bigger issue for the developers than it is for the landowners or the county.”
PPM Energy is looking to build 373 turbines on 36,000 acres in Livingston and LaSalle counties.
Chuck Schopp, Livingston County zoning administrator, said that the Horizon application and a review of public hearings for the PPM project will be discussed at agriculture and zoning committee meeting on Tuesday.
By Tony Sapochetti
28 September 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/09/28/2nd-wind-farm-hopes-to-set-up-in-same-livingston-lasalle-area/