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.
ZBA recommends wind energy noise standards
After hearing testimony both in favor of keeping current noise restrictions in place and pleas to make them more strict, the Piatt County zoning board of appeals has recommended staying with existing code when it comes to allowable noise at large scale wind energy developments. That ties the local ordinance with Illinois Pollution Control Board standards, which noise experts say caps noise at about 46 dBa (A-weighted decibels) when measured outside of adjacent homes. ZBA members on Nov. 18 did . . . Complete story »
Wind farm ordinance amended
Proposed changes to the Edgar County windfarm ordinance brought several speakers urging stringent measures to the Wednesday, Nov. 4, county board meeting. Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), fresh off his re-election the day before, said the local ordinance must offer protection to those on both sides of the issue. “I’m neither for nor against windfarms,” said Halbrook, claiming a windfarm development often pits absentee landowners against locals. “It’s incumbent on us to protect people.” His other concern is creating a local . . . Complete story »
Could the outcome of Tuesday’s election change DeWitt County’s $300 million wind farm plan?
CLINTON – The DeWitt County Board will have a new look when it reorganizes next month – and that could spell some trouble for the recently approved Alta Farms II wind farm project. The $300 million project was approved 6-5 in July, with one board member, Cole Ritter, not attending the meeting because of a conflict of interest with the project. Ritter lost his bid to retain his seat in the March primary, finishing last in a four-person race for three spots . . . Complete story »
Planning Commission discusses wind ordinance
The Montgomery County Planning Commission and the county’s Economic Development Committee met Monday evening, Nov. 2, for a final discussion about the revisions suggested by the planning commission members to the currently in force wind power siting ordinance. The county board will vote whether to adopt those changes during the board meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 10. The planning commission is chaired by Toni McDonough; voting members are C.J. Liddell, Bill “Red” Schroeder, Joe Goeke, and Brian Niemann. Ex-official members are . . . Complete story »
What does ‘acceptable loss’ mean?
What does “acceptable loss” mean? Also known as “acceptable damage,” it’s a military euphemism used to indicate casualties or destruction inflicted by the enemy that is considered minor or tolerable. During the Special Use Permit for Alta Farms II vote, this phrase rang loud for me. Seven county board members considered families like mine and the impacts we will suffer as an acceptable loss. I felt betrayed by my elected leaders. Would we have moved here if we had known . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine setbacks recommended to county board
Piatt County’s Zoning Board of Appeals last week recommended larger setbacks for wind turbines, but the increase is much less than was recommended last year by the board. After taking testimony from several audience members, the ZBA voted unanimously to amend its current large Wind Energy Conversion ordinance to mandate setbacks of 1.3 times the tower tip height to the nearest non-participating primary structures, or 1,600 feet, whichever is greater. The same ratio was approved for setbacks from towers to . . . Complete story »
Village of Wapella, Mayor, file lawsuit to halt DeWitt wind farm
The Village of Wapella and its mayor are seeking a preliminary injunction to halt construction of a wind farm in DeWitt County. Sherry Mears and the Village filed a complaint against Enel Energy, formerly Tradewind, and DeWitt County alleging procedural measures were not followed when the DeWitt County Board voted six to five on July 14 to grant a special use permit for the Alta Farms II industrial wind turbine project. The lawsuit, filed in DeWitt County, asserts the county . . . Complete story »
Lawsuit filed to halt DeWitt County wind farm
CLINTON – A lawsuit opposing development of an industrial wind complex in northwest DeWitt County has been filed on behalf of 69 constituents against the DeWitt County Board and Enel Energy, owner of Alta Farms II. “This was something we wanted to avoid, but at this point, we have no choice,” said Olivia Klemm, one of the opponents of the wind farm. “We are not done fighting.” In July, the county board voted 6-5 to approve a special use permit for . . . Complete story »
Wind farm manufacturer set to close, many could lose jobs in the area
CLINTON, Ill. (WCIA)- Arcosa Wind towers are expected to close its doors after 13 years. This closure comes as they were about to partner with a wind farm in Dewitt County. That wind farm would need large wings produced, and Arcosa does not create those. Clinton city administrator Tim Followell says this type of production limited them. “They only make one certain size tower, and they only make the tubular part of the tower; they don’t make the windmill generator . . . Complete story »
Lawsuit filed against county, wind farm company
Opponents of an incoming wind farm that was approved by the DeWitt County Board this summer will be taking their battle to court. A press release Friday from Olivia Klemm says a lawsuit opposing the development of a wind farm in northwest DeWitt County was filed on behalf of 69 people against the county board and Enel Energy, owner of Alta Farms II. The project by approved by the county board in July by a 6-5 vote, permitting the construction . . . Complete story »
