August 22, 2012
Illinois

Ogle County Board OKs Baileyville wind farm permits

By Vinde Wells | www.saukvalley.com 22 August 2012

OREGON – The Baileyville Wind Farm took another step forward Tuesday when the Ogle County Board approved a special-use permit to allow the installation of underground cables.

The board voted 11 to 9 to approve the permit for 319 acres at 12294 N. Rock City Road in Maryland Township, owned by John and Dawn Collman and leased to the wind farm.

The cables will connect to wind turbines once they are built.

Approval came despite a recommendation from the county’s Planning & Zoning Committee to deny the permit.

The county board approved the original special-use for the Baileyville Wind Farm in Maryland and Leaf River Townships in December of 2005. No turbines have yet been erected.

Nearly 7 years ago, on Dec. 20, 2005, the Ogle County Board granted Navitas-Gamesa officials the special-use permit needed to build the Baileyville Wind Farm.

Opponents almost immediately filed lawsuits in Ogle County and federal courts, blocking the project for several years. The lawsuits were settled last year, allowing the project to proceed.

Apex Wind Energy of Charlottesville, Va., bought the wind farm from Navitas-Gamesa in 2011.

The plan approved in 2005 called for 40 windmills to be built over 5,000 acres. The wind towers are to be 400 feet tall and each built on a 16-foot concrete base.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/22/ogle-county-board-oks-baileyville-wind-farm-permits/