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.
Lee County approves repowering GSG Wind farm
DIXON – GSG Wind will be upgrading its footprint of turbines after receiving approval from the Lee County Board. The GSG Wind farm, developed by Leeward Renewable Energy, became operational in 2007 with 40 turbines spanning more than 3,000 acres in Lee and La Salle counties near West Brooklyn. It’s an 80-megawatt project. Lee County has 19 turbines in Brookyn, Lee Center and Sublette townships. The company petitioned the county for a special use permit earlier this year to decommission . . . Complete story »
Apex to apply for Piatt wind farm permit in summer or fall
MONTICELLO – A special-use permit to build a proposed 300-megawatt wind farm in Piatt County could be filed by the fall, say officials with Apex Energy. “We plan on filing in the summer or early fall,” said Alan Moore, project developer for the proposed Goose Creek Wind Farm. “We are excited to share everything about the project with the public. “That would obviously start with the county board with our permit application and of course, the landowners who are participating as . . . Complete story »
Piatt County to consider amending wind-farm ordinance
MONTICELLO – The Piatt County Board will consider additional amendments to the current ordinance that are designed to protect drainage districts if a wind farm is approved. In March, the Piatt County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend passage of some amendments drafted by Amy Rupiper, the Monticello attorney representing the DeLand Special Drainage District and Trenkle Slough Special Drainage District. Both are located in northern Piatt County in the footprint of the proposed Apex Energy Goose Creek Wind Project. . . . Complete story »
County approves new wording to wind ordinance
MONTICELLO – Apex Energy is one step closer to submitting a special use permit application to build a wind farm in Piatt County. The county board last week unanimously approved changes to the current ordinance that were designed to protect drainage districts during the construction phase. Apex Clean Energy is proposing a 300-megawatt project that would include approximately 60 turbines. Apex officials have not yet filed a special use permit, but have indicated they plan to in the summer or . . . Complete story »
Apex to apply for permit in summer or fall
MONTICELLO – A special use permit to build a proposed 300-megawatt windfarm in Piatt County could be filed by the fall, say officials with Apex Energy. “We plan on filing in the summer or early fall,” said Alan Moore, project developer for the proposed Goose Creek Wind Farm. “We are excited to share everything about the project with the public. That would obviously start with the county board with our permit application and of course the landowners who are participating . . . Complete story »
County to consider text amendment changes
MONTICELLO – The Piatt County Board will consider additional amendments to the current wind farm ordinance that are designed to protect drainage districts if a wind farm is approved. In March, the Piatt County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend passage of some amendments drafted by Amy Rupiper, the Monticello attorney representing the DeLand Special Drainage District and Trenkle Slough Special Drainage District. Both are located in northern Piatt County in the footprint of the proposed Apex Energy Goose . . . Complete story »
Normal Planning Commission backs plan for wind turbine at Rivian plant
NORMAL – Rivian’s plan to put up a wind turbine at its local factory has won the backing of the Normal Planning Commission. Commissioners Thursday evening voted unanimously in favor of the company’s wind energy project to provide Rivian’s newly-made electric vehicles with their first “all green” charge. The commission’s endorsement goes to the Normal Town Council, which has the final say. The council’s vote is expected July 18. The turbine would be located on Rivian’s vehicle test track on . . . Complete story »
Plans on hold for wind turbines in Tazewell County
It may be months before Tazewell County’s government approves more wind energy projects. The Tazewell County Zoning Board of Appeals voted Thursday evening to approve a six-month moratorium on wind turbines. About 60 people attended the public hearing in Pekin. The board hopes the moratorium gives county leaders more time to review current regulations, and others that might be needed. Key decisions are months away. “It will be a process because it has to go through land use committee, and . . . Complete story »
Lee County Zoning Board recommends plan by GSG Wind farm to upgrade turbines
DIXON – The Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals gave a favorable recommendation for the GSG Wind farm to replace and upgrade its turbines in Lee County. GSG Wind, developed by Leeward Renewable Energy, became operational in 2007 with 40 turbines in a footprint of more than 3,000 acres in Lee and La Salle counties near West Brooklyn. It’s an 80-megawatt project. Lee County has 19 turbines in Brookyn, Lee Center and Sublette townships. The company petitioned the county for . . . Complete story »
Local citizen asks Morgan commissioners about ongoing trouble with turbine lights
Discussion yesterday morning at the Morgan County Commissioners meeting about an incorrect phone number led to a larger discussion about Ørsted not getting the Aircraft Detection Lighting System on the Lincoln Land Wind project updated and fixed. Joana Ramsey, an Alexander resident, spoke during public comment Tuesday morning letting the Morgan County Commissioners know that the telephone number for the Lincoln Land Wind complaint line listed on the county’s website was incorrect and led to a fax number. Ramsey pointed . . . Complete story »
