May 22, 2019
Illinois

Aledo backs out of proposed solar/wind energy projects

Dispatch-Argus | May 21, 2019 | qconline.com

WHAT WE KNOW: Last summer, Aledo City Council members approved a development agreement with Bluestem Energy Solutions LLC, for a feasibility study to determine if solar panels or wind turbines could be installed in Aledo.

Following the presentation of the study results in April, Mayor Chris Hagloch told aldermen he learned Bluestem had been researching other local communities to partner with Aledo on the project, since Aledo doesn’t have enough area to cover with solar panels to offset costs.

WHAT’S NEW: Monday night, aldermen approved a motion to reject a memorandum of understanding with Bluestem. Hagloch said attorney Mark Walton advised the council not to move forward with the renewable energy company.

The 25-year subscription contract was rejected by the council. “The first few years, we would receive revenue. … The second half, we would actually owe more,” explained Hagloch. “It didn’t look like it was a lucrative deal for the city of Aledo.”

In other business, the council:

Approved a preliminary construction engineering agreement with Hutchison Engineering for a resurfacing project not to exceed $20,715 in motor fuel tax funds. The work includes S.W. 5th Street from S.W. 3rd Avenue to S.W. 8th Avenue, and S.W. 5th Avenue from S.W. 5th Street to S.W. 6th Street.
Approved stone repair of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Statue in Monument Park through Northwest Restoration Company at a cost of $8,745. The city had budgeted $10,000 for the work.

WHAT’S NEXT: Hagloch said for now, the city will “sit idle” on the idea of solar or wind generation. “(Solar) would have been nice; there doesn’t seem to be anything out there that fits the city of Aledo right at the moment,” he said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/05/22/aledo-backs-out-of-proposed-solar-wind-energy-projects/