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A new hurdle for wind farm? Opponents want higher bar for approval
May 21, 2013 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

On Friday, Rockford attorney Rick Porter, who is representing Hamilton Township, informed Lee County of the township board's Dec. 11 decision to file an objection to the wind farm, known as the Green River project. ...By Porter's reading of the law, the township's written objection now means the project needs a three-fourths County Board majority for passage.

Hoopeston wind farm building permit extended for a year
May 11, 2013 by Tracy Moss in The News-Gazette

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.

Panel blows off wind farm; County Board has the final say
April 25, 2013 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

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.

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Wind farm rules fine as is
April 25, 2013 by Tracy Moss in The News-Gazette

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.

Vermilion County board still up in air on wind turbine rules
April 19, 2013 by Brian L. Huchel in The Commercial-News

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.

Pingree sets new rules for renewable energy devices
April 4, 2013 by Ryan Klassy in The Courier-News

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.

Before, wind firms drove process; Today, it is harder to get turbines OK'd
March 6, 2013 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley

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.

Committee to consider Vermilion wind farm moratorium
February 26, 2013 by Tracy Moss in The New Gazette

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.

Discussion of wind farm regulations continued to December
November 4, 2012 by Bob Balgemann in Belvidere Daily Republican

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.

Boone County leaders consider changing wind power language
September 10, 2012 by Jennifer Wheeler in Rockford Register Star

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.

Decision on wind farm may be close at hand
July 27, 2012 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

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.

Some officials want to cap wind turbines; One calls that a ‘dumb idea'
June 11, 2012 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

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".

Board prohibits wind energy in village
June 1, 2012 by Jennifer Wheeler in Rockford Register Star

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.

Proposed wind turbine setback distance would be state's longest
March 28, 2012 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

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.

One more chance to speak on wind rules
March 15, 2012 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

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.

Woodford County Board meeting postponed; no agenda posted
February 21, 2012 by Nick Vlahos in Journal Star

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.

Wind test foes are told to list their ideas
January 30, 2012 by Jannaya Andrews in Decatur Daily Democrat

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.

Woodford County Zoning Board approves wind energy revisions
January 26, 2012 by Nick Vlahos in Journal Star

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.

Panel to discuss wind farm setback - at last
January 18, 2012 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

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.

Wind farm foes urge zoning that would ban turbines near Roberts
November 12, 2011 by Will Brumleve in The News-Gazette

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.

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