May 2, 2011
Illinois, Letters

Put regulation of wind energy in local hands

By Bob Logan, Franklin Grove, www.saukvalley.com 2 May 2011

This is an open letter to state Reps. Mitchell, Sacia and Pritchard.

I am writing to share my support for Senate Bill 167 as it is considered by the Illinois House of Representatives. It provides that local municipal governments should have the right to regulate the siting of industrial wind energy conversion systems, even if they do not have zoning codes in place.

The regulation of Industrial Wind Energy Conversion Systems as a right ought to be determined at a local level, as they have the potential of changing the complete character of a rural community.

There have been no zoning issues in my lifetime of 58 years that can so alter a complete area as the introduction of those huge generating plants. Rural communities have neither the personnel, nor financial resources, to battle the ill effects foisted upon them by state- and federally funded
international energy corporations, nor the ability to seek redress through litigation.

The legislation is necessary for all rural communities, including those that have not found it necessary to zone other types of land uses. No other uses have the potential impact, including huge livestock operations that are often regulated with setbacks from 1 to 2 miles or more.

Local governments are closest to their people, and a one-size-fits-all standard does not serve the people in the small communities who may not have the resources to develop a comprehensive zoning ordinance.

I urge you to support the small communities of your districts so that they may have the same regulatory rights as those with zoning codes.

Note to readers – Bob Logan is village president of Franklin Grove.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/02/put-regulation-of-wind-energy-in-local-hands/