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Wind Power News: Illinois
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
County Board votes no on wind farm
The Piatt County Board has declined a special use permit for a 300 MW wind farm that was proposed to be located in Goose Creek, Sangamon and Blue Ridge townships in northern Piatt County. “We were elected by the people in our various districts to do what is best for our constituents,” said District One Board Member Jerry Edwards, who voted against the project. “I have heard from a lot of residents of Piatt County and for the vast majority, this . . . Complete story »
Ford County’s collapsed wind turbine puts more eyes on a new state law
A fallen wind turbine has county officials revisiting a new law. The Ford County Vice Chairman said situations like that are why they have certain ordinances in place. Energy company confirms wind turbine collapses near Paxton “How close is too close? How close are you comfortable having your family or your residents from a wind tower that can come down,” said Emily Lattz, a homeowner in Ford County, “Why should the rights of the county be taken away for them . . . Complete story »
Ogle County voices concern after state takes away local control of solar, wind farms
Solar and wind farms were a big point of discussion at Tuesday night’s Ogle County Board meeting. A bill recently passed by state lawmakers would take control away from the county. Concerns at Tuesday’s meeting was not necessarily about the solar and wind farms themselves, but more about handing power over to the state. Ogle County Board members and residents said that they are concerned about losing control. “So, you pick on the smaller communities that have cheaper land prices . . . Complete story »
Neighbors react after wind turbine collapses near Paxton
Security around the collapsed turbine is tight to prevent people from getting too close. But as of 5 p.m. on Friday, on-scene reporters saw no one at the collapse site, crews and trespassers alike. Matt Tulis, a spokesperson for RWE Renewables, said the company is now turning to the recovery phase of the turbine, which includes figuring out if any parts of salvageable. They’ve had a drone in the area inspecting the area. Buckley to receive $5M for wastewater infrastructure . . . Complete story »
Energy company confirms wind turbine collapses near Paxton
A leaning wind turbine in Ford County came crashing down Thursday evening. It is located just south of Route 9 near Paxton. RWE Renewables Americas LLC confirmed they received reports the turbine collapsed Thursday evening. They say crews were not there when it happened, but were later sent to investigate the cause. A neighbor who lives about a quarter of a mile from the turbine said the collapse sounded like a “loud rumble of thunder,” and he could feel the . . . Complete story »
Pritzker flips: supports overriding local control of wind farm siting decisions
A bill that strips local control from county governments regarding zoning matters on wind and solar energy appears to be close to becoming law. The legislation, which passed in the lame-duck session of the previous Illinois General Assembly, would provide counties with “guardrails” for siting wind farms, and would create a commission that would oversee and approve wind turbines everywhere but Chicago. Supporters say the measure is needed to better attain the state’s renewable energy goals. “I think it’s very . . . Complete story »
Turbine on fire: video shows wind turbine in northern Lasalle County burning
On Thursday, the Mendota and Troy Grove Fire Departments were dispatched to a wind turbine on fire in northern LaSalle County. Complete story »
Wind turbine catches fire near Mendota
The Mendota and Troy Grove fire departments were dispatched Thursday to a wind turbine fire north of Mendota. On arrival, the area on top of the tower was fully involved in the fire. Personnel secured the area and the tower was left to burn out. Crews continued to monitor the fire as it burns. East Third Road was closed because of falling debris landing on the road. Mendota Township put up barricades. Personnel from the wind farm are working on . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine burns in northern LaSalle County
Mendota – A wind turbine in northern LaSalle County caught fire Thursday night. Area fire departments were called to the scene around 9 PM for the blaze, which they monitored well into the evening. The 285-foot-tall structure, which according to records is part of GSG Wind Farms, was near the intersection of North 48th and East 3rd Roads. Debris from the burning turbine was scattered across an adjacent field. Mendota Assistant Fire Chief Brian Fisher said crews from the wind . . . Complete story »
U.S. wants thousands more wind farms, facing local opposition
Monticello, Ill. – Depressed property values. Flickering shadows. Falling ice. One by one, a real estate appraiser rattled off what he said were the deleterious effects of wind farms as a crowd in an agricultural community in central Illinois hung on his every word. It was the tenth night of hearings by the Piatt County zoning board, as a tiny town debated the merits of a proposed industrial wind farm that would see dozens of enormous turbines rise from the nearby . . . Complete story »
