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McLean County, Ill., Wind Farm Moves Ahead

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 September 2005, 18:00 CDT

Sep. 21--BLOOMINGTON -- McLean County is on track to becoming home to one of the largest wind farms in the world next spring.

McLean County Board members unanimously approved construction of High Trail Wind Farm in the Saybrook, Arrowsmith and Ellsworth area. There was no discussion Tuesday, but the project, which is expected to pour millions into landowners' pockets and tax coffers, drew little opposition in previous public hearings.

The 275-turbine farm is expected to generate enough electricity to power 120,000 homes.

Bob Crowell, Horizon Wind Energy business development director, said the $500 million project should get under way next spring as planned. The company, owned by Goldman Sachs, still must sign a power purchase contract with an electrical supplier.

"Construction is contingent on the energy contract. We are talking with ComEd and Ameren. ComEd has purchased energy from two other Illinois wind farms," said Crowell.

Neither he nor project developer Bill Whitlock said they were surprised by the quick County Board vote Tuesday.

"There's been a lot of support. And all the issues were thoroughly discussed during the public hearings," said Whitlock.

The July hearings revealed few public concerns for the wind farm. The main issues were shadows cast on homes by wind turbines as tall as 499 feet and aerial application of crop chemicals on farm fields in the area.

Board member Matt Sorensen agreed the board had performed its full duty in conducting the public hearings. He added that the hearings showed a majority of residents in the affected area support the project.

"Rick Dean (a fellow County Board member) and I support family farms. Farmers with turbines on their property will collect rent revenue and still get to farm most of the land. It's a win-win situation," said Sorensen.

Landowner lease payments are expected to total about $1 million annually. Another $1 million would be generated each year in property tax revenue.

The board approved a special-use permit to allow a utility to build as many as 275 wind turbines. It allows 16 of the towers to be 400 feet from a single-family residence instead of the required 2,000 feet.

Board members also approved a $3.2 million road agreement with Horizon Wind Energy. Improvements are scheduled for LeRoy-Lexington Road, Ellsworth Road, Arrowsmith Road, Dawson Lake Road and Ellsworth-Arrowsmith Road.

The agreement requires Horizon Wind Energy to develop a $500,000 escrow account and a $500,000 irrevocable letter of credit.

The company intends to pay the county directly for all road upgrading and maintenance bills.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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GS, AEE, EXC,

Source: The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill.

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