December 16, 2014
Illinois

Logan wind farm decision could be made in January

Kevin Barlow | Pantagraph | December 16, 2014 | www.pantagraph.com

MOUNT PULASKI – A decision on a proposed wind farm in Logan County will be made after the first of the year.

Following two public hearings before the Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals, the board will consider a recommendation to the county board during a meeting Jan. 8 at the Family Life Center at Mount Pulaski Christian Church.

“We need time to read through the research presented at the meetings,” ZBA Chairman Doug Thompson said Monday.

More than 100 people attended the two public hearings in Mount Pulaski on the proposed Meridien Wind Farm, a project of the Relight US Corp, a Delaware-based company that wants to build 80 towers on 96 parcels, spread over 8,100 acres south and west of Mount Pulaski, stretching from Broadwell to Elkhart.

Relight spokesman Robert Paladino said Logan County would stand to benefit financially from the wind farm.

“The county would make about $2.44 million in property taxes during the first year of operation, and over $61 million during the next 25 years,” he said at a hearing last week, adding about 70 percent of that would go to schools. Also, the company is expected to hand out more than $800,000 to landowners with pending agreements, based on county approval.

Opponents of the wind farm say they are concerned about property taxes, noise from the turbines, and health risks. Several neighbors of the proposed project also believed the county should take its time before making a decision.

“Some of my neighbors are not even aware of the wind farm in the area,” said resident Monica Ruhl. “I worry about the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.”

The ZBA is not expected to listen to any more testimony, but will consider the recommendation in January. The Logan County Board could consider the proposal in January.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/16/logan-wind-farm-decision-could-be-made-in-january/