Wind Power News: Illinois
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Winds of change blow farms
Discussion of wind farms and changes to the county’s wind farm ordinance dominated discussion at the Edgar County Board study session Monday, May 10. A committee of board chairman Jeff Voigt, board member Lisa Ellis and citizen John Chittick have been working on updating the county’s wind farm ordinance for approximately a year and the county is facing a deadline for getting a new ordinance in place. The county board declared a moratorium on accepting wind farm applications in November . . . Complete story »
Morgan County second in area to oppose wind farm legislation
Morgan County is now the second in the area to push back against proposed state legislation that would take the regulation of wind farms out of the hands of local authorities. The Morgan County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution during their regular meeting this morning calling for Governor J.B. Pritzker and the General Assembly to protect local control of zoning and land use. Senate Bill 1602 would remove a county board’s ability to create their own ordinances concerning wind . . . Complete story »
County board against zoning restrictions bill
DANVILLE— The Vermilion County Board approved a resolution Tuesday night calling for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the General Assembly to protect local control of zoning and land use. The resolution calls on state leaders to vote no on Senate Bill 1602. SB1602 calls for the state to have the authority to make some zoning restrictions for counties across the state, but for the county to be the enforcers of such restrictions,” according to Vermilion County Board Chairman Larry Baughn. . . . Complete story »
County board to draft resolution against wind farm bill
QUINCY – The Adams County Board is working to draft a resolution opposing an Illinois Senate bill that would override county government authority on wind farms. The bill, which was filed by Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, would remove a provision in the state’s Counties Code that allows any part of a county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms that is in effect before Aug. 16, 2007, to continue in effect. Any county with an existing zoning ordinance in conflict with the . . . Complete story »
Scott Co. Commissioners oppose wind farm legislation in IL GA
The Scott County Commissioners passed a resolution Monday to oppose a piece of legislation currently sitting in the Illinois General Assembly. The Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution on sending a letter to the Governor’s Office, all local legislators, and to members of both chambers of the General Assembly in opposition to Senate Bill 1602. Filed by 18th District State Senator Bill Cunningham of Chicago in February, the bill would remove a county board’s ability to create their own ordinances concerning . . . Complete story »
Douglas County Board discusses possible wind turbines in the county
The County Board met on April 21, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. with all members present. After minutes, bills, and fees were approved, the board moved on to ordinances and resolutions that were on the agenda. The board approved ordinance 21-0-2 which approves the sale of baked goods from home kitchens. Those who are considering offering baked goods for sale in the county should contact the Health Department to determine what goods may be sold. Resolution 21-R-13, extension of a declaration . . . Complete story »
Watch now: Competing clean energy proposals emerge in Springfield
Easily the most ambitious proposal is the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), the 900-page bill that sets the lofty goal of making Illinois carbon-neutral by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2050. The goal would be to build 40 million new solar panels and 2,500 wind turbines across Illinois. The plan also calls for the electrification of the state's transportation system. Complete story »
County board opposes legislative proposal on wind farms
MONTICELLO – Piatt County board members have voted unanimously to oppose a proposed state law that would standardize some aspects of wind farm placement in Illinois. Piatt County spent about two years updating its zoning code covering large wind projects, but if Senate Bill 1602 is approved would need to change the current setback distance to a more-stringent state law. The resolution approved by the county board April 14 did not focus on those possible zoning changes, rather on a . . . Complete story »
Ford County zoning officer reverses course, issues building permits for wind farm
PAXTON – Ford County Zoning Officer Brandon Magers will issue building permits to Apex Clean Energy for 46 wind turbines in Ford County after initially indicating the plans did not meet county regulations. The windmills will be part of the Ford County Ridge Wind Farm in Sullivant Township. Magers had initially declined to approve the building permits to the company after it submitted applications in September. He cited discrepancies between the original plans, which were approved in 2009, and the new . . . Complete story »
Lawsuits withdrawn: DeWitt County wind farm opponents cease legal action against project
CLINTON – Opponents to the development of a DeWitt County wind farm have dropped two lawsuits that were seeking to stop the project from moving forward. The DeWitt County board voted 6-5 last July to approve a special use permit for Enel Energy to build 66 wind turbines, up to 599 feet tall on 12,000 acres in three northwestern townships near Waynesville and Wapella. It would be DeWitt County’s first wind farm. Brought by 69 constituents in October, one lawsuit . . . Complete story »
