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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.
Goose Creek Wind submits Special Use Permit to county
MONTICELLO – Goose Creek Wind has submitted its Special Use Permit (SUP) application to Piatt County officials. The 1,600-page application seeks approval for up to 60 wind turbine locations in the northern portion of the county for a 300 MW wind farm. Of the approved locations, 50 total turbines would be constructed, officials said. The application will be evaluated by the Piatt County Zoning Board of Appeals, who will give an advisory recommendation to the county board. “I think this is . . . Complete story »
Piatt County has received Apex SUP application
MONTICELLO – The Piatt County Journal-Republican has learned that Piatt County officials have received the Special Use Permit (SUP) application for the proposed Goose Creek Wind project. County officials confirmed at 10:41 a.m. Thursday, the hard copies did arrive at the county building. The application seeks approval for up to 60 wind turbine locations in the northern portion of the county for a 300 MW wind farm. Of the approved locations, 50 total turbines would be constructed, officials said. “This application . . . Complete story »
Lee County again extends moratorium on wind, solar projects
DIXON – The Lee County Board extended its moratorium on solar, wind and battery storage projects for another three months, and amended rules will soon be going to the county for review. In December, the board approved a six-month hiatus on solar and wind projects to do a deeper dive into the regulations for those developments after several massive energy developments came before the county. The county’s renewable energy committee has been going over renewable energy ordinances, and the board . . . Complete story »
Peoria County is left out of Tri-County Area wind farms — for now
Peoria County still stands out among its neighbors: it doesn’t have any wind farms. Marshall, Woodford, Tazewell and McLean counties all have wind farms, with additional projects planned in Knox and Fulton counties. But Peoria County might not be left out for much longer. Jason Ryan, a spokesman for the American Clean Power Association, said that the area is well-suited to wind development. “Peoria County does not currently host any wind farms, but wind power may be in the county’s . . . Complete story »
Apex official: Wind farm permit could be filed this week
MONTICELLO – A special use permit for the construction of a wind farm is expected to be filed in Piatt County at any time. Last Wednesday, Kent Dougherty, vice president of development at Apex Energy, told the Piatt County Board that the company is finalizing the special use permit application. “We hope to get that application in as early as next week or the week after,” he said. “If we are able to work efficiently as partners toward a reasonable . . . Complete story »
Apex to submit wind farm special use permit application in next two weeks
MONTICELLO – Apex officials announced Wednesday morning that they are close to completing the special use permit for a proposed wind farm and plan on submitting it to the county by the end of the month. “We hope to get that application in as early as next week or the week after,” said Kent Dougherty, vice president of development at Apex Energy. Dougherty told the county board that if the application is approved, construction would start in the spring of . . . Complete story »
Apex working on Cass County wind farm plans
VIRGINIA – Apex Clean Energy is working on plans for a wind farm in Cass County near Virginia that would include dozens of turbines, though construction is years off. Apex is establishing Grey Fox Wind, which is proposed to be a 250-megawatt wind farm, said Josh Hartke, the Illinois Field Manager for Apex. “We expect the project to comprise about 40-50 wind turbines,” Hartke said. “The project has not yet been designed, and final turbine locations have not been selected.” Apex . . . Complete story »
Tazewell County implements a 6-month moratorium on new wind farms as county board hashes out policy revisions
The Tazewell County Board voted Wednesday night to kick the can on revising the county’s wind farm ordinance. All new wind turbine permits and construction in Tazewell County are now under a moratorium for up to six months while the board continues to deliberate what changes to make to the regulations. Though District 2 board member Greg Menold was the only one to express concern that six months might not be enough time for the board’s committees to draft new . . . Complete story »
Proposed La Salle County wind farm moves to permitting phase
An 80-megawatt wind farm south of La Salle is moving from land acquisition mode to permitting. In the next few months, UKA, an operator of wind and solar farms, will be working on a series of studies including environmental, avian, shadow flicker, sound and decommissioning, in order to comply with all local, county, state and federal wind farm regulations. Hickory Wind is expected to contribute more than $20 million in property taxes for all taxing districts over the next 25 . . . Complete story »
Future wind energy farms in Tazewell County?
The current ordinance when it comes to building wind turbines in Tazewell County is changing, and it means no farms will be built for at least six months. Wednesday night, board members approved a six-month moratorium until the ordinance is revised. Members said this six-month hold will allow them to make the appropriate changes needed before any new wind farm is set up in Tazewell county. “In that time we will work on amendments to the existing ordinance and get . . . Complete story »
