November 11, 2010
Illinois

Golden approves temporary moratorium on wind energy development

By MATT HOPF, Herald-Whig Staff Writer, www.whig.com 11 November 2010

GOLDEN, Ill. – As expected, Golden village officials on Wednesday night approved a temporary moratorium on wind energy development within a 1.5-mile radius as they look at enacting permanent restrictions.

Village officials could look at permanent restrictions as early as January.

Roger Flesner, Golden village president, said a public hearing was set for 7 p.m. Nov. 29 in Golden to discuss the potential restrictions.

Officials are basing their right to regulate wind development within 1.5 miles of village limits on an informal opinion from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office that said it did not need to have zoning to regulate wind energy development.

It was originally thought that Golden would have to enact zoning similar to Clayton and Camp Point, which could have cost the village thousands of dollars.

Clayton has held two public hearings in recent months as the Zoning Board of Appeals is contemplating a recommendation to the village board. Proponents to wind energy development in Adams County say that it would bring additional tax revenue to schools and other local taxing bodies, and additional revenue for area farmers. Others have voiced concerns of the affects it could have in the area and the proximity to local communities.

In June, the Camp Point Village Board passed an ordinance temporarily prohibiting the development of wind turbines within its zoning jurisdiction.

Acciona Energy North America has been developing the $300 million Prairie Mills Wind Farm with Global Winds Harvest in the Camp Point, Clayton and Golden vicinity.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/11/golden-approves-temporary-moratorium-on-wind-energy-development/