Friday, October 2, 2009

Despite moratoriums, wind energy has future in Lake County

Major concerns about wind machines include noise and shadow flicker caused when the blade sweeps in front of the sun. Turbines have also been known to kill bats and birds

The village of Libertyville has already seen how divisive the issue can be. After Aldridge Electric Co. began operating a wind turbine on Rockland Road, approved by the village, homeowners living nearby complained about the noise. The protests prompted the village to limit the turbine’s usage from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays only. The issue is now in court.

The Libertyville situation was enough for the village of Gurnee and others to pass a moratorium, giving them time to research the technology and consider passing local ordinances.

Placement is key to minimize shadow effect, said Borgia, and the Illinois Pollution Control Board regulates noise pollution.

The bats are not dying from hitting the turbine blades,” she said, but from the pressure within the turbine that bursts their lungs.

 

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  http://www.triblocal.com/Gurnee/view.html?

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