Edgar County, IL. (ECWd) –
At today’s meeting of the Edgar County Board, the Board heard public comment, then discussed and voted to approve a Wind Zoning Ordinance establishing a 3250 foot setback from the base of a Wind Turbine, to the closest primary structure (house, etc).
These setbacks can be waived by the affected property owners.
We will update this article with a copy of the Ordinance when it becomes available.
During public comment:
- Kirk Allen, ECWd, spoke on Wind Farms and the need to amend the ordinance being proposed.
- State Representative Brad Halbrook spoke about the legislative history of Wind Ordinance Zoning and decommissioning requirements,
- Cindy Ihrke, a Ford County Board member spoke on the importance of an effective Wind Ordinance,
- John Kraft, ECWd, spoke about an agreement Mt. Pulaski School District almost entered into, and later declined to sign,
- Ted Hartke provided information to the Board, and you can read it (HERE), and,
- Brocton area resident, Will Cooley, talked about the proposed Ordinance and decommissioning costs
This particular meeting was a great example of good governance as they allowed discussion from the public and even asked questions of those who had first-hand experience with Wind Farms. Other local governments could learn a lesson from today’s meeting.
Watch the meeting below:
3 Comments
jannie
Posted at 16:24h, 04 NovemberI applaud Edgar County. At least the .6 mile from a primary structure gives some protection. It is better than the Federal guide of 1000 feet. I still remember in our county when there was discussion about wind complexes the person “selling” the wind complex talked with the potential lease holder when they balked – it was we’ll place it over there (which happened to be at the property edge near the neighbors home.)
If Wind complexes are to be they need to protect the landowners and nearby residents & there needs to be strong ordinances to handle the dismantaling of them when they wearout/break.
PK
Posted at 13:04h, 16 NovemberSorry ma’am. I’m unable to verify your claim about there being a 1000 ft. “Federal guideline.” However, I did locate a state guidance document that describes a set-back based on the equation: 1..5 X (tower height + rotor diameter) = minimum set-back. Using this equation could result in a setback distance of less than 1000 ft, unfortunately. Has the Illinois General Assembly described set-back requirements?
PK
Posted at 20:26h, 04 NovemberYes! And scale up the sound power generated during public comment!
On a less technical note: Recover a proposed decommissioning with a vertical axis rotor and put the high maintenance windings back on the ground.