Horizon Wind Energy is also considering projects in the Lexington, Chenoa and Cropsey areas and is finalizing plans for Top Crop Wind Farm in northern Livingston, LaSalle and Grundy counties.
Horizon Wind Energy intends to take the issue to public hearings by the end of 2009 before the McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals.
“We’ve been talking to farmers since March 2008,” said Caton Fenz, project manager. “We’ve been pleased with the response from landowners we’ve spoken to.”
Already, the company has 240 turbines, with 396 megawatts (MW) of capacity, in rural Arrowsmith, Ellsworth and Saybrook. The company pays tax per year between $12,000 and $16,000 for each turbine. Because the tax-supported ambulance association serves the development area, the association expects to get $190,000 a year from the existing turbines.
The 396 MW of capacity is enough to make electricity to power 120,000 homes. The energy produced is sold wholesale to many retail electric customers around the country.
“We’ve been here 30 years and people thought we’d be gone by now,” said Paramedic Nancy Kiper, secretary/treasurer for the Eastern McLean County. “The proposed expansion will help keep the ambulance service going for another 30 years.”
Ridgeview Superintendent Larry Dodds said that his district projects to receive about $1.7 million in tax money from the existing turbines. If the company adds 300 more turbines, the district may receive another $3 million a year.
Dodds said that 161 are within school district boundaries, out of already existing turbines. This expansion will bring 250 more within the boundaries.
