November 7, 2014
Illinois

Planning board backs Logan County wind farm

By Jessica Lema | GateHouse Media Illinois | Posted Nov. 7, 2014 | www.sj-r.com

LINCOLN – A regional planning board has recommended approval of an 81-turbine wind farm in southern Logan County.

The unanimous recommendation this week from the Logan County Regional Planning Commission was ahead of a public hearing scheduled for later this month on the Meridian Wind Farm.

Owners of 96 parcels of land have agreed to participate in the project, according to the company. The turbines would be erected in an area generally bounded by Elkhart, Broadwell, Mount Pulaski and Lake Fork.

At a Tuesday meeting, members of the commission heard from Bob Paladino of Relight US Corp., parent company of Delaware-based Meridian LLC. Paladino discussed issues such as road access and working with landowners.

Meridian proposes to construct 81 turbines as well as collector lines, substations, transmission lines, access roads and meteorological towers. Each turbine would require about one acre, according to the company.

The commission discussed certain road upgrades required before the company could begin bringing in any equipment.

County zoning officer Will D’Andrea said Thursday that virtually all of the roads used in the process of building the wind farm would essentially have to be reconstructed.

The Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Mount Pulaski Christian Church Family Life Center, 114 N. Lafayette St.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/07/planning-board-backs-logan-county-wind-farm/