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Residents report wind farm letters; Tazewell landowners say they’ve been contacted by German company
Credit: By Ken Harris, GateHouse News Service, www.pjstar.com 25 November 2010 ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
PEKIN – Landowners around Washington, Morton and Deer Creek began receiving correspondence recently gauging their interest in leasing land to a company for the purpose of erecting wind turbines.
According to Tazewell County Board member John Ackerman, his parents were among several people who received letters Thursday from PNE Wind, a German company that was founded in 1995, according to the company’s website.
Ackerman said he was very excited by the news because of the success of the Rail Splitter Wind Farm near Delavan that opened about a year and a half ago. He said the extra revenue the project would bring to the county would be very welcome.
“With the success of the Rail Splitter (wind farm) down south, I’m encouraged to see more of that development in our county, particularly District Three,” Ackerman said. “Other counties keep getting these projects, so it’s our turn now.”
Kristal Deininger, the county’s zoning administrator, said a few property owners have called her office asking for information regarding wind farm regulations and ordinances. She said if PNE Wind is truly interested in locating in Tazewell County, then the company’s first step would be to directly contact landowners to gauge availability of land. That would explain why county officials currently have no inside knowledge about any possible deal.
Deininger said the company would want to secure land leases before even approaching the county to undergo the process to allow special use of land zoned for other purposes. The process, if it goes forward, could take a year or two before it is completed and the company begins erecting any windmills or setting up the infrastructure to support the farm’s operation. Deininger said that to the best of her knowledge PNE had not yet contacted the zoning administration office.
County Administrator David Jones said he was aware some landowners had received letters but said there is no guarantee any wind farm will be coming to the county. He said the county government would not get involved until the company reaches out to it.
Horizon Wind Energy opened the Rail Splitter Wind Farm in the summer of 2009 after the construction phase of the turbines created about 200 jobs, and the operation of the turbines created a handful of permanent jobs.
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