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.
Map: Illinois Prime for Wind Development Done Right
Disclosure: The Nature Conservancy - Midwest Region contributes to [Public News Service's] fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Environment, Sustainable Agriculture, Water. Complete story »
107-turbine wind project advances
A large wind energy project is one step closer to finding out if Morgan County will house up to 107 turbines. The county’s board of appeals gave its approval Wednesday to Apex Clean Energy’s Lincoln Land Wind Project. The move sends the application to Morgan County commissioners for final review. The board voted 4-0 to approve the project, with one member abstaining, after reviewing a document that added 41 conditions recommended by Patrick Engineering, as well as updated information provided . . . Complete story »
New wind farm company addresses County Board
MACOMB – Oliver Ellen, wind farm development manager for RWE Renewables, told the McDonough County Board this week that his company plans to have a wind farm established in the southeastern portion of the county by 2024. Farmers in Eldorado, New Salem, Bethel, Mound, and Industry townships will be offered leases to host wind turbines. Ellen said these would be 30-year leases and more than $40 million would be spent on leasing. RW Renewables is based in Germany and has been . . . Complete story »
Letter to the editor: County has duty to protect people, land in wind project
Morgan County’s Regional Planning Commission/Board of Appeals conducted a public hearing for comments on Apex Clean Energy’s 2,411-page draft siting approval permit for Wind Energy Conversion System dated Feb. 18 and updated May 5 as identified on the Morgan County website. Draft does not mean final siting permit application. I was unable to attend but sent my comments to Dusty Douglas, director of the Planning Commission/Board of Appeals. Does Morgan County have a transcript of this public hearing? Patrick Engineering . . . Complete story »
County moratorium on wind farm applications extended
The Piatt County board has extended its moratorium on wind farm applications for another six months, keeping it in effect until about mid-March. A six-month moratorium was scheduled to expire in September, but the county has yet to finalize changes to its wind energy conversion ordinance, most notably the portion that covers large-scale wind farms. Apex Clean Energy announced plans to pursue a 120-turbine wind project in northern Piatt County in April of 2019. The county has approved changes to . . . Complete story »
Wind farm project proposed for southern McLean County
MCLEAN COUNTY – A Virginia energy company said it is planning to pursue a 300-megawatt wind farm project in southern McLean County. Apex Clean Energy said the project, called Diamond Grove Wind, is in the early stages of development. Public engagement manager Max Jabrixio told The Pantagraph that the project would take up about 30,000 acres of farmland between LeRoy and Heyworth. He said the company is talking with roughly 100 homeowners in the area. “There is so much active wind . . . Complete story »
Permit application stalls as recommendation revised
A decision on whether a proposed wind farm in Morgan County will move forward will wait two more weeks as county officials update a draft recommendation with 41 conditions proposed by Patrick Engineering. The Morgan County Board of Appeals received an independent report from Patrick Engineering that provided the board with several conditions that will be added to a recommendation for the county board. The conditions would need to be met prior to project approval from county commissioners. Holly McCoy-Nelson, . . . Complete story »
Wind energy project proposed in Coles County
CHARLESTON – A Virginia company is proposing a 300 megawatt wind project in Coles County, it was announced Tuesday. Apex Clean Energy is planning the project known as Coles Wind. Max Jabrixio, a spokesman for the project, said in an email that full details about the wind farm are not yet available, as the company has recently started contacting residents in the area and leasing can be a lengthy process. He said the wind farm is in the “very early stages . . . Complete story »
In renewable energy boom, Great Lakes states struggle to kick fossil fuels
Coal still dominates the power generation sector in many Great Lakes states like Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. But they are beginning to embrace renewable energy, as well. And some believe that the region has the potential to become the next hot spot for renewable energy development. A recent Ball State University study found that expanding the use of renewable energy in Indiana will “stabilize energy prices, offer more permanent supply, reduce the local labor demand shocks associated with shifting fuel . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines disturb local farmer
MACOMB – Jeffrey Butler, a member of the McDonough County Farm Bureau, told the county board’s law and legal committee Monday that having his farm near two wind turbines has caused some disruptions. He suggested the board consider adding language to its wind farm ordinance that might solve some of the problems. Butler said a new setback guideline might be considered. “I think 1800 feet is too close,” he said. Noise levels experienced from being near the wind turbines have led . . . Complete story »
