http://www.windaction.org/ facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts en-us Windaction hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.windaction.org/articles/38329 Sat, 11 May 2013 13:02:18 GMT The extension also allows the project to adhere to parameters set out in Vermilion County's original wind ordinance, requiring turbines to be 1,000 feet from a primary structure, which includes houses. http://www.windaction.org/articles/38329 http://www.windaction.org/articles/38177 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:09:18 GMT By a 3-2 vote, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended denial of Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power's proposed 53 turbines. The County Board, which meets May 21, has the final say. The decision ended a decade in which the wind energy industry largely drove the county's approval process. http://www.windaction.org/articles/38177 http://www.windaction.org/articles/38182 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:25:43 GMT John Alexander, chairman of the panel, said that setbacks are really the one area where the county has some authority. Alexander said residents who live as far as 1,600 feet or more from turbines have testified that they are affected by the noise. But the panel also discussed that if the setbacks are increased more than the existing 1,200 feet, it could eliminate any further development for wind energy. http://www.windaction.org/articles/38182 http://www.windaction.org/articles/38107 Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:28:08 GMT The issue of wind turbines remained up in the air on Thursday as the panel assembled to discuss the issue adjourned without a decision. Selected county board members as well as other community representatives meet at noon Thursday to discuss comments and information provided by residents who attended a public forum on Monday regarding wind turbines. http://www.windaction.org/articles/38107 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37968 Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:22:03 GMT Wind turbine towers on lots less than one acre can be no taller than the height of the home, plus 10 percent. The tallest allowed is 125 feet, and those only on lots of five acres or more. None can be located in the front yard. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37968 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37640 Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:37:37 GMT Once upon a time, getting approval for a wind farm in Lee County was relatively simple. Those days are gone. For the latest proposal to build wind turbines, the county had 26 meetings that took up 65 hours. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37640 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37540 Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:05:53 GMT A committee of Vermilion County Board members will discuss this week a moratorium on the construction of any wind farms until the county addresses possible changes to its wind farm ordinance. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37540 http://www.windaction.org/articles/36462 Sun, 04 Nov 2012 21:47:56 GMT More than 10 hours of discussing proposed revisions to Boone County's wind farm regulations haven't led to any decisions. After hearing three more hours of testimony Tuesday night, the zoning board of appeals agreed to continue the public hearing to its Dec. 26 meeting. http://www.windaction.org/articles/36462 http://www.windaction.org/articles/35994 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:20:15 GMT The county's Planning, Zoning and Building Committee has proposed doubling the distance between a primary structure, like a home, and a wind farm; increasing the number of structures from which windmills must be distanced; and placing language into the ordinance that details how to remove a windmill no longer in service. http://www.windaction.org/articles/35994 http://www.windaction.org/articles/35637 Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:44:42 GMT Mainstream is proposing nine turbines in far southeastern Whiteside County; all parties agree the county has jurisdiction over seven of them. But the village of Deer Grove asserts that it has power over two, both of which are within 1-1/2 miles of its limits. http://www.windaction.org/articles/35637 http://www.windaction.org/articles/35191 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 01:08:55 GMT Gusse proposed the board cap the number of turbines in the county - something that wouldn't affect current permits. "I think, at some point, we have to say that we have enough," Gusse said. "Maybe we have reached close to saturation." The southeastern part of the county is "pretty well blanketed". http://www.windaction.org/articles/35191 http://www.windaction.org/articles/35111 Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:22:29 GMT The Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that prohibits electric-generating wind devices from being located within the village, said village Trustee Anthony Stepansky. However, residents living within a 1.5-mile radius of the community can. The device cannot be taller than 75 feet and must generate power that is exclusive to the property. http://www.windaction.org/articles/35111 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34650 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:29:25 GMT This week, members of a Lee County Board ad hoc committee recommended that turbines be 2,000 feet from nonparticipating landowners' property lines. Such a move would effectively shut out wind energy development in Lee County, one company says. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34650 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34557 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:51:07 GMT The proposed ordinance on wind energy keeps the same required distance between homes and wind turbines – 1,400 feet. Unlike the current ordinance, the new one includes regulations for shadow flicker and a program to protect the values of nearby homes. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34557 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34380 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:20:57 GMT The Woodford County Board meeting room was expected to be packed Tuesday night because of an anticipated vote regarding wind farm ordinance revisions. ...A vote on the wind farm ordinance revisions is the final step in a lengthy process that has at times been contentious, both within the board and outside of it. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34380 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34250 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:18:47 GMT Miller stated that after commissioners have reviewed the group's concerns, a recommendation will be made to the planning commission as to any changes commissioners feel should be addressed. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34250 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34198 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:22:19 GMT Major ordinance changes involve the positioning of wind turbines and the shadow their blades cast. Towers would need to be located at least four times their height from residences that aren't part of the wind farm. A typical tower can be taller than 400 feet. Currently, the regulated distance is at least 750 feet. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34198 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34110 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:22:42 GMT The county's current setback distance is 1,400 feet, which is a little more than a quarter mile, the same as Whiteside County's. Some people have said that's too close. At a recent meeting, Zoning Board member Tom Fassler suggested a mile. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34110 http://www.windaction.org/articles/33616 Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:04:49 GMT A group of wind-energy opponents is urging village officials to create their own zoning regulations, a measure that would allow the town to keep wind farms from being built on farmland immediately outside its boundaries. http://www.windaction.org/articles/33616 http://www.windaction.org/articles/33512 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:27:52 GMT A proposal to protect the property values of homes near wind turbines is gaining support. Two of the five members of the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals, which is reviewing the county's wind energy ordinance, said at their meeting Thursday that they backed a home seller protection program for residents near turbines. http://www.windaction.org/articles/33512