InvEnergy sues Livingston County Board regarding denial of Wind Farm special use denial

On October 9, 2015 legal action was taken against Livingston County regarding their denial of a special use for a 134 wind turbine project.  Livingston County has several other operating wind farms. 

Will such a legal suit occur in Boone County after the county board votes on the text amendment to the wind ordinance?

The complete legal complaint, appendices and attachments are available through Edgar County Watchdog at:  http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/InvenergyAppeal-151009-PR-Complaint-filed.pdf  (Edgar County Watchdog has many anti-wind opinions but the documents supplied by them appear to be the complete complaint without opinions)

 

Tornado ruins 30 homes in Rochelle; 2 dead in Fairdale - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

By Ben Stanley
Rockford Register Star

Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 5:34 PM

SUNNY STRADER/RRSTAR.COM | Rubble photographed Friday, April 10, 2015, at Grubsteakers restaurant in Rochelle, which was damaged by a tornado the previous night.

By Ben Stanley
Rockford Register Star

Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 5:34 PM

Zoom

SUNNY STRADER/RRSTAR.COM | Rubble photographed Friday, April 10, 2015, at Grubsteakers restaurant in Rochelle, which was damaged by a tornado the previous night.

By Ben Stanley
Rockford Register Star

Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 5:34 PM

ROCHELLE — Dawn broke over twisted strips of aluminum, loose bricks and shards of wood Friday, hours after entire neighborhoods were obliterated by what National Weather Service representatives are calling an EF-4 tornado.

EF-4, used to describe tornadoes with wind speeds reaching 166 to 200 mph, is the second-most-powerful category.

The tornado ripped through multiple northern Illinois counties Thursday.

About 30 houses were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said at a news conference Friday.

Two people were killed in nearby Fairdale: neighbors Geraldine Schultz, 67, and Jacklyn Klosa, 69. Schultz was killed during the storm and found in her home. Klosa’s body was recovered Friday morning.

Officials said 20 people were admitted to the hospital Thursday and six stayed overnight; one is in serious condition.

VanVickle, whose residence was destroyed, said there are no warning sirens in Fairdale or in the most heavily affected parts of Ogle County in and around Rochelle.

“We didn’t hear any sirens,” said Dave Schabacker, who hid with his wife in a crawl space while the tornado ripped through their home near Kings, just north of Rochelle.

“Our phones went off about 10 minutes, 12 minutes before (and) said there was a tornado.”

Schabacker said dirt was blowing all around them. “We saw the thing coming. We got our shoes on … and we crawled in the crawl space and just rode her out.”

Schabacker, his wife and members of their extended family sifted through the rubble of the house where the couple lived for 30 years, searching for salvageable clothing and valuables.

“What do you do?” he said.

Gov. Bruce Rauner visited Rochelle to survey the damage and visit with families.

“We’ve obviously suffered a great tragedy here,” he said, declaring DeKalb and Ogle counties as state disaster areas.

About 200 yards east of the Schabackers’ leveled house, T.B. Carmichael assessed the damage to his family’s farm. An equipment shed had been severely damaged, but his parents' home, where he grew up, was unharmed.

“Everybody’s good, the house is good,” Carmichael said, turning to the shed. “All this stuff can be replaced.”

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Tornado ruins 30 homes in Rochelle; 2 dead in Fairdale - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

How much tax would Wind Turbines pay North Boone School District?

Well here is a tax bill from Stephenson County on one wind turbine somewhat smaller than the ones proposed for Northern Boone County.  Assessments are done by the State of Illinois based upon megawatts so the Boone County assessment should be higher than $167,945.

Boone County’s total property assessment for 2014 is $978,051,132; see Table #2.  Using a figure of $170,000 per wind turbine, fifty wind turbines would increase Boone County’s total property assessment by $8,500,000, less than a one per cent increase (.87%). 

For the North Boone School District there would be a more dramatic effect. See Table #3, the District’s equalized assessed valuation (EAV) is $137,152,702.  The additional $8,500,000 (fifty turbines)  represents a 6.205% increase in assessed valuation.

In actual dollar terms, using the tax rates in Table #3—each year District #200 should receive an additional $514,394.50 for the various operating expenses and the taxpayers should receive $141,780 in assistance in paying the required principal and interest on outstanding school bonds.

Table #1 :  Calculation of taxes to be paid to North Boone School District for a 50 Turbine Wind Farm with each turbine assessed at $170,000, $8,500,000 additional EAV.

Table #2

 

TABLE #3

Below is from: http://www.nbcusd.org/budgetinfo/FY14Annual%20Statement%20of%20Affairs.pdf

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Legal Action by FDIC maybe part of the reason DeKalb County Treasurer left so suddenly after his 2012 election.

As shown by the two documents that follow, Mark Todd  was appointed(February 2011) County Treasurer when Christine Johnson filled the Illinois Senate District seat.   The former bank vice-president  ran unopposed in the November 2012 General Election as a Republican and resigned in December 2012 effective February 2013.

 

Mark Todd Quits County Treasurer Position

December 26, 2012 - Gov Watch - 2 comments

Apparently county board Chairman Jeff Metzger announced that DeKalb County Treasurer Mark Todd quit to pursue a job in Hawaii. That’s according to a news release sent to the Daily Chronicle. According to his Facebook page his wife got a great job there back in October.

I’d take a better job in Hawaii. What an opportunity!

But the warm sunny skies and grass skirts of our 50th state didn’t influence this rant against the great injustice of it all. The press release should have come from Todd and it should have been posted on the County Treasurer’s website for all those that just voted in the election three weeks ago.

For this voter who filled in Todd’s slot on my ballot the Chronicle report read like a “wham bam thank you ma’am” letter direct from someplace near Honolulu.

“While the statutes do not provide specific qualifications for the office of county treasurer, I plan to develop criteria to evaluate candidates interested in this post so that the county is assured of getting a highly qualified individual to manage the treasurer’s office,” Metzger said in the news release.

Todd’s resignation will be effective Feb. 8 [2013], if the news release was accurate. He was appointed DeKalb County Treasurer back in February 2011. Long serving Christine Johnson left to fill the Illinois Senate District 35 seat vacated by Brad Burzynski’s retirement. He rain unopposed in the November 2012 election.

It would be more courteous, in my opinion, if elected officials shared their job pursuits with the public before election day instead of three weeks after. Especially in this job market. Had Todd announced his Hawaii intentions earlier who knows how many highly qualified candidates might have applied for the voters to choose from. Instead the deal will be done among party bosses or among those most connected. Maybe that’s what Metzger meant when he said that leading Republicans would step up and say why they wanted him for the county board chair. He won the seat by unanimous vote of the Democrats (plus his lone Republican vote).

Metzger will appoint the new DeKalb County Treasurer some time in the next 60 days (from Feb. 8).  Evidently, state statutes require the appointment go to someone of the same political party as the vacating incumbent. Mark Todd was a Republican.

Feb 8. Why that date? Severance pay? Severance agreement?

Fair questions.

Above is from:  Mark Todd Quits County Treasurer Position | DeKalb County Online

 

 

Mr. Todd was Vice-President of Farmers and Traders State Bank, Shabbona which was closed by the FDIC in June 2012. (see  document below). 

First State Bank, Mendota, Illinois, Assumes All of the Deposits of Farmers and Traders State Bank, Shabbona, Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2012

Media Contact:
LaJuan Williams-Young
Office: 202-898-3876
Email: lwilliams-young@fdic.gov

Farmers and Traders State Bank, Shabbona, Illinois, was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First State Bank, Mendota, Illinois, to assume all of the deposits of Farmers and Traders State Bank.

The two branches of Farmers and Traders State Bank will reopen on Saturday as branches of First State Bank. Depositors of Farmers and Traders State Bank will automatically become depositors of First State Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Customers of Farmers and Traders State Bank should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from First State Bank that it has completed systems changes to allow other First State Bank branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Farmers and Traders State Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of March 31, 2012, Farmers and Traders State Bank had approximately $43.1 million in total assets and $42.3 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits, First State Bank agreed to purchase essentially all of the failed bank's assets.

Customers with questions about today's transaction should call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-640-2607. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time (CDT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., CDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., CDT; on Monday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., CDT; and thereafter from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CDT. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC's Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/ftsb.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $8.9 million. Compared to other alternatives, First State Bank's acquisition was the least costly resolution for the FDIC's DIF. Farmers and Traders State Bank is the 27th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the second in Illinois. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Premier Bank, Wilmette, on March 23, 2012.

# # #

Above is from:  https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2012/pr12066.html

 

In December 2014 the following legal action was finalized by the FDIC. . As shown by the legal order, Mr. Todd is prohibited from bank ownership or conducting the affairs of a financial institution.

 

Above is from:  https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2015/pr15011a.html?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

 

 

The above is the attachment from:  https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2015/pr15011a.html?source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Australian windfarms face $13 billion wipeout from political impasse - Yahoo News

 

Some 44 Australian windfarm projects, about half overseas-funded, have been shelved since a new conservative government said it wanted to cut state support for the industry a year ago, with investors and operators saying they are considering either downscaling or leaving the country altogether if it succeeds.

Even Australian windfarm companies such as Infigen and Pacific Hydro have effectively shelved their Australian operations, with Infigen saying it plans to pour all its financial muscle into the more amenable U.S. market.

"It's a difficult time at the moment, and the policy uncertainty is the main cause of it," said Shaq Mohajerani, an Australian spokesman for wind farm company Union Fenosa, owned by Spanish energy giant Gas Natural.

Read the entire aricle by clicking on the following:  Australian windfarms face $13 billion wipeout from political impasse - Yahoo News

Backers of Stephenson County medical marijuana operation unveil plans - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Click on the following to read all of the article:  Backers of Stephenson County medical marijuana operation unveil plans - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Livingston County Still Weighing Wind Turbines - CIProud

 

01/23/2015 10:13 PM

 

By Associated Press

01/23/2015 10:31 PM

 

 

 

PONTIAC - The public has played a big part in the hearings for wind farms, around Livingston County.

PONTIAC - The public has played a big part in the hearings for wind farms, around Livingston County.
"We don't want to shut anyone off, hope we haven't yet. We don't intend to,” said Bob Young, vice chairman of the Livingston County Board. “We want everything out, try to be as honest as we can be."
For months, the debate has raged on: Is it worthwhile to add 136 wind turbines all over the county, which would nearly double the current total?
"There’ve been, like you said four or five meetings (normally) but this one there's a lot of emotion,” explained Young.
That emotion is coming from both sides,but Invenergy, the company that's looking to get the permits, does not consider the three hours per, three times a week meetings as an unnecessary evil.
"The more people know about the benefits, you know, of hosting a wind energy facility, with the economic infusion it brings through tax revenue and jobs, the better,” said Kevin Parzyck, Invenergy’s Vice President of Business Development.
Signs are up all over town, with people who are not blown away by the proposal. Many have said it could disrupt their way of life.
"They're concerned about the market value of their homes, they're concerned about health issues, wind noise, and they're very sincere,” said Young.
Invenergy says it will continue to bring in experts to help soothe whatever issues the public may be facing.
"I think it's been a very fair discussion,” said Parzyck. “There are disagreements, but it's in no way hostile. I think it's a very constructive discussion."
And one that could have maybe 11 more hearings before the process is over. The first will be Monday at Pontiac Township High School. The rest will be at the Walton Center in Fairbury.
Once these hearings are finished, the zoning board of appeals will make its recommendation to the county board. For the time being, the county won't allow anyone else to apply for permits, until at least June.

Livingston County Still Weighing Wind Turbines - CIProud

North American Windpower: ICC Approves Key Illinois Transmission Line

 

by NAW Staff Thursday October 23 2014

Commonwealth Edison's (ComEd) Grand Prairie Gateway Project, a transmission line that is expected to remove wind energy bottlenecks in Illinois, has received approval by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
According to the company, the line will extend for 60 miles across Ogle, Dekalb, Kane and DuPage counties. The new line will create immediate customer savings by reducing grid congestion, increasing customers' access to lower-cost generation, including wind power. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of next year, and the line is expected to be in service in 2017.
"As the competitive electricity market expands, transmission lines become congested over time, just like highways do as the communities around them grow," says Terence Donnelly, ComEd executive vice president and chief operating officer. "This congestion impedes the flow of low-cost energy, increasing the cost of delivering that energy to our customers, and we’re obligated to solve that problem. We are pleased that the Commission has recognized the need for this important new line, which will offset those increases just as soon as it’s energized."
The line will expand ComEd customers' access to generation by approximately 1 GW, providing greater access to clean energy.
"Congestion on the system is inhibiting the lowest cost generating plants – like wind – from getting power to customers that want it," says Sean Brady, regional policy manager of Wind on the Wires. "These bottlenecks force wind farms to operate less efficiently and restrain the future development of more environmentally friendly wind generation in Illinois, so this project will further promote a competitive marketplace and the continued growth of wind power."
The 345kV electric transmission line will be constructed between ComEd's existing substations near the communities of Byron and Wayne. The route would begin at the Byron substation and run east until Plato Center in Kane County, where the line would run southeast along railroad corridors to the substation near Wayne. The project adds a third major transmission path across the ComEd territory, which also enhances reliability, particularly during extreme weather events.
The need for the project was first identified as part of the annual regional planning process managed by PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that plans and operates the ComEd transmission system.

North American Windpower: ICC Approves Key Illinois Transmission Line

Plans Continue for Western Illinois Wind Farm | Tri States Public Radio

 

By Rich Egger

Developers are not worried even though it’s been six years since plans were unveiled for a wind farm in Warren and McDonough Counties.

 

A central Illinois wind farm

Credit Rich Egger

“Sometimes people forget how significant of a construction project we’re trying to do here,” said consultant Barry Fladeboe.

“I think when you look at the scale and the overall capital invested, a wind farm is about the same type of investment as many skyscrapers. So if you think about it like that, it’s a pretty neat project to bring out to a rural area.”

He said the wind farm will likely be “at least a $250 million capital raising effort.” Fladeboe said most of the costs go into the turbines.  He said the towers are all steel and it’s expensive to build and erect each turbine. 

Fladeboe said it’s typical to be four-to-seven years into a development before something happens.  So the development cycle is “very normal” for this project, which is called Cardinal Point.

“We’re very excited about 2016, ’17, and ’18,” he said.

“The primary reason this project hasn’t been built yet is simply that no one in Illinois has been buying power from renewable energy for the past couple of years.”

It’s not known when construction will begin. Fladeboe said the project is in an advanced development stage. He said most of the permits are in place. What's now needed is a power purchase agreement, ie, a contract with a company that will buy the energy produced.

The project was initially proposed by Eco-Energy.  Element Power took over about five years ago, and it recently sold the project to Canada-based Capitol Power.  Fladeboe has worked on it for both Element and Capitol.

Kim Pierce, Executive Director of the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDCO), said the project could benefit from the new ownership.

“Capitol Power is in the wind business. Element Power, while they’re a great company, that was not what their emphasis was,” said Pierce.

She said even though the project has changed names and owners a few times, she remains optimistic it will come to fruition.

Plans Continue for Western Illinois Wind Farm | Tri States Public Radio

Logan County Board rejects wind farm

There are limited details on this recent case however the highlighted statements may provide some insight to the denied wind turbine application.

The second to last article indicates the vote was six to six (a tie is a defeat) and possibly financial issues were a factor in the decision.

NOTE-- Last Article:  Logan County approved a wind farm in 2012. The project was delayed by financial issues.

 

Logan County rejects wind farm plan

2015-01-24T18:00:00Z Logan County rejects wind farm plan The Southern

January 24, 2015 6:00 pm

 

DECATUR — Logan County officials have rejected a plan to place 81 wind turbines in the southern portion of the county.

The $400 million wind farm project was one vote short of approval by the county board Thursday. Construction on the turbines would have begun in the spring had it been approved.

The (Decatur) Herald and Review reported that supporters say a project would have brought in nearly $2.5 million in revenues during the first year of operation. But others posed questions about the company that would construct the turbines as well as potential health issues from the turbines noises.

Board Chair David Helpner said he and other board members worked hard to learn all they could about the project.

-- The Associated Press

Above is from:  http://thesouthern.com/ap/state/logan-county-rejects-wind-farm-plan/article_4a5e4487-7ad1-5ebc-9608-d617383b669c.html

:

Logan County Board to decide wind farm fate

Credit: Kevin Barlow | January 13, 2015 | www.pantagraph.com ~~

MOUNT PULASKI — The Logan County Board is expected to decide on a proposed wind farm for the county, but will do so without a recommendation from the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

The board will meet in a workshop session Thursday night at the Logan County Courthouse and is expected to discuss the proposed Meridien Wind Farm, a $400 million project that, if approved, would include 81 turbines located south and west of Mount Pulaski, stretching from Broadwell to Elkhart.

Following three public hearings on the project before the ZBA in Mount Pulaski, the four members voted 2 to 2 on whether the project should be allowed to go forward. At least three members need to vote in favor of a recommendation before one can be forwarded to the full county board that has final say regardless of the ZBA’s vote.

ZBA Chairman Doug Thompson, who voted against the recommendation, said during the public hearings there was a lack of support for the project and he heard only opposition to the project from local residents.

“We know there are a lot of concerns in the community and this, in a way, passes that feeling on to the county board,” he said.

The project is being developed by Relight US Corp, a Delaware-based company. Relight spokesman Robert Paladino previously told the ZBA the county would receive about $2.44 million in property taxes during the first year of operation and more than $61 million over a 25-year period. A number of concerns, including the impact on property values, potential noise problems, shadow flicker issues, and a decreased quality of living experience were discussed during the public forums.

“We have always been willing to work with our neighbors on these issues both prior to, during and after construction of the towers,” said Paladino.

If built, the towers are expected to be about 300 feet high and the tips of the blades would reach 491 feet from the ground. Towers could not be built within 600 feet of a road or 1,000 feet from any residence.

If approved, construction could begin in the spring, Paladino said.

The full county board is scheduled to meet in a voting session Jan. 22 at the Logan County Safety Complex.

Above is from:  Logan County Board to decide wind farm fate | Wind Energy News

Who is Relight?

Relight US Corp. organized under Meridien LLC., a Delaware Limited Liability Company, has filed with the Logan County Zoning Office for a Conditional Use Permit for the construction and operation of a wind energy conversion system (wind farm) in the Agricultural and Special Zoning District. The wind farm consists of meteorological towers, 81 wind turbines, collector lines, substations, transmission lines, access roads and related appurtenances.

 

The Petition, Application and Plans are available for inspection in the Logan County Zoning Office, 529 South McLean Street, Lincoln, IL 62656.

The Petitioner/Applicant, Meridien LLC, is acting for itself. It is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware, with a business place c/o Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, 140 Broadway, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10005. The sole member of Meridien LLC is Relight US Corp., a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and having the same business address as Meridien LLC.

Above is from:  http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Nov/04/News/today_HEARING.shtml

Who is  Relight?

LINKED IN

Relight

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Relight is a leading international player in renewable energy, energy efficiency and mining: it purchases, develops and manages big projects portfolios.
Relight, consolidating its leadership position in the field, approaches the market with new profitable investments in sustainable development, becoming the reference point for each subject interested in business with environmental, ethical and social features.

Specialties

Wind and pv development, Mining, Led applications

• Website

  http://www.relight.it

• Industry

  Oil & Energy

• Type

  Privately Held

• Headquarters

  Via Arco 2 Milano, Italy

• Company Size

  51-200 employees

 

7,600-acre wind farm petition falls flat in Logan County

 

By Jessica Lema
The Courier

Lincoln Courier

By Jessica Lema
The Courier

Posted Jan. 23, 2015 @ 2:23 pm
Updated Jan 23, 2015 at 2:24 PM

By Jessica Lema
The Courier
Posted Jan. 23, 2015 @ 2:23 pm
Updated Jan 23, 2015 at 2:24 PM
Lincoln, Ill.

 

 

Crowdynews

By Jessica Lema
The Courier
Posted Jan. 23, 2015 @ 2:23 pm
Updated Jan 23, 2015 at 2:24 PM
Lincoln, Ill.

In a 6-6 vote Wednesday, the Logan County Board rejected a conditional use permit that would have brought a 7,600-acre wind farm to a stretch of land between Mount Pulaski, Broadwell, Lake Fork and Elkhart.

The petition came before the Board earlier this month with no recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals after they too came to a split-vote on the project on Jan. 8.

Throughout the process, both boards heard a great deal of opposition from people living within the proposed quarter-mile footprint of the 80-turbine wind farm.

While the owners of nearly 100 parcels of land signed agreements with the company to participate in the project, many of their neighbors cited concerns over the potential health risks associated with infrasound and shadow-flicker, as well as the impact on property values and aesthetics.

One particular point of contention offered up by the opposition was that of a ruling out of Brown County, Wisconsin in October which declared an eight-turbine wind farm there to be a human health hazard based on a study of low-frequency sound in nearby homes.

Prior to the vote Wednesday, the Logan County Board heard several comments from the public and from Bob Paladino, an attorney representing ReLight US Corp., the Italy-based parent company of Delaware-based petitioner Meridien, LLC.

Paladino claimed that one of the primary studies cited in the Brown County decision, the “James Study,” has never been peer-reviewed, cannot be obtained and that it most likely does not exist.

“I think the most important thing we have to understand about the references to the Brown County decision is it was a bad decision,” Paladino said, adding that it’s not “sustainable by science.”

He acknowledged that ReLight “may not have done a very good job at communicating with the public,” but that they came into the community with good intentions to bring a project that “Logan County can and will be proud of.”

Several residents of the Mount Pulaski area then took to the microphone to voice their concerns and opposition.

At one point, Cheryl Martin, a Certified Public Accountant from Mount Pulaski, brought forward the results of a background check she conducted on Paladino.

She went down the list of companies on his resume, which he provided to the Board at the previous meeting.

“A lot of the things were true,” she began. “Jasper Energy is a company formed by Mr. Paladino. However, the website no longer has a telephone number that’s valid and their registration with the State of Delaware is no longer valid.”

She said that he was president of another company that filed for bankruptcy during his tenure. She went on to discuss the finances of ReLight Corp., claiming they have a total capitalization of $750,000.

Page 2 of 2 - “I guess my question, as a CPA, is, according to Mr. Paladino this is a 400 million dollar project, how does a company with $750,000 in capitalization get the financing or investors to do a 400 million dollar project?” she asked.

“I have concerns that the project gets started and can’t be completed because of financial restrictions.”

She concluded, “You have to look at the representations being made and the promises made to these citizens who are putting their livelihood and their homes in risk in this farm and know why these big concerns are there.”

Paladino began his rebuttal by saying, “This isn’t supposed to be about me, but since my name was brought up I’ll address it.” He said that Jasper Energy, LLC. is no longer incorporated in Delaware because, like him, it’s moving to Florida.

He went on to cite several studies that the company has provided for the Board and told members that they have to ignore the anecdotal claims against wind turbines.

“They’re voodoo. They’re nothing. You cannot make public policy decisions on these. Look at the science,” he said.

Before the vote, Board members Chuck Ruben, Pat O’Neill, and David Hepler voiced their support of the project.

Chairman Hepler said he thought it would be a “tremendous benefit” to the county.

Ultimately, the amended motion to approve the conditional use of the land failed for lack of a majority vote.

As the room was clearing out, several residents of Mount Pulaski stopped at the railing that separated them from the board and thanked the members who voted against the project.

Read more: http://www.lincolncourier.com/article/20150123/News/150129747#ixzz3Py9jEV5e

 

This is not Logan County’s first application—Sugar Creek Wind One Farms, a 175 MW project was permitted in 2012 with actual construction delayed until 2014.

Above from:  http://renewableenergy.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/databases/062514%20Permitted%20Wind%20Farms%20in%20IL.pdf

Logan County wind farm construction delayed 2 years - News - Lincoln Courier - Lincoln, IL

The $1.5 million Logan County was expecting to collect this year in permit fees from the construction of a planned wind farm won’t materialize.  Work on the wind farm has been delayed at least two years.

It’s frustrating news for the county. The permit fees from Sugar Creek Wind Farm One construction have been seen as the salve to cover painful trial costs for Christopher and Jason Harris, brothers accused to killing a Beason family in 2009.

Stan Komperda, project manager for Sugar Creek Wind Farm One, said Friday that declining electricity demand and the overall outlook of the economy have slowed the project’s progress.

“We are moving forward, but it is at a slower pace than what we had originally hoped for,” Komperda said. “Really, the economy is what’s driving it. If we have a quick economic turnaround, and unemployment goes down and the factories get up and running again, that’s a much higher power demand and that’s going to change things fast.”

The Logan County Board had expected to start seeing revenue from construction permit fees come trickling in this year, and construction to begin at the site next summer.

Komperda said that, as of now, construction isn’t expected to begin until sometime in 2014.

When asked what can be done to help offset the lost projected funds, Logan County Board finance chairman Chuck Ruben grinned optimistically and threw his arms out to his sides.

In the dark

Read more of this article:  http://www.lincolncourier.com/article/20120724/News/307249952/?Start=2

Kane Co. could lose $2.5 million if federal prisoner deal ends - DailyHerald.com

 

Since 2009, Kane County has made as much as $2.5 million a year holding federal prisoners awaiting trial, but the deal could be in jeopardy with the U.S. Marshal's office poised to move about half the inmates.

But details on the arrangement possibly coming to an end are not forthcoming from the man in charge of the county jail, newly elected Sheriff Don Kramer, who did not return repeated phone calls, emails and Facebook messages on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

 

Some county leaders, who say they would like to preserve the deal, confirmed they had heard Kramer planned to end the six-year-old agreement that makes the county $88.32 each day for each federal detainee it holds in the county jail in St. Charles.

"I can't tell you why the sheriff made that move," county board member Drew Frasz said. "It would have been standard protocol to have a lengthy discussion about a decision like this."

Frasz and others said they were stunned by the prospect of giving up the added income from use of the jail.

"From a taxpayers' point of view, if you have an asset, why not make it a revenue-generating asset?" he said.

Managing these prisoners costs the county overtime, but the arrangement still nets about $2.5 million a year, which county leaders have used to fund such projects as a new shooting range and a law enforcement regional training center that opened last year.

The U.S. Marshal's office was going to take back about half of the detainees from the Kane County jail this week, said Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler.

He could not specify how many detainees were being moved, or to where.

County board Chairman Chris Lauzen deferred all inquiries about the agreement's status to Kramer, but insisted the sheriff was working to overcome the "bump in the road."

"They're going to be working on making sure we continue as in the past. It's a little premature at this point because we really don't know where it stands right now," Lauzen said. "(Kramer's) taken various actions and he would need to describe them."

Messages left Wednesday and Thursday with Belkis Sandoval, spokeswoman and special inspector at the U.S. Marshal's office in Chicago, were not returned.

Word that the agreement could be ending -- along with the loss of $2.5 million, or about 10 percent of the sheriff's budget -- surfaced at the county board's executive committee this week and caught members by surprise.

County board member Cristina Castro said she was "a little flabbergasted" by the potential loss of revenue.

Frasz said he expected such a major decision would create more discussion, especially because the county has worked to keep the county's tax levy flat from year to year.

Lauzen predicted board members would further discuss the U.S. Marshal's agreement at the county's judicial and public safety committee next Thursday.

The practice of housing federal detainees at local county jails while they await trial has been tried in other counties.

One example is DuPage County, where Sheriff John Zaruba inked a deal with the U.S. Marshal's office in 2003 to house federal detainees for about $107 per day per inmate.

At the time, about 55 federal inmates were at the jail in DuPage. But the practice ended after the DuPage jail in Wheaton filled up with the county's own defendants.

"When we contracted with the U.S. Marshals (in 2003) they brought in a more stable clientele because they tended to be longer-term clients which made it easier on staffing," Zaruba said. "But that only lasted for a year or two because the jail started filling up with judges putting more prisoners in. The deal became less attractive to the marshals because they wanted their inmates bulk-housed, but we no longer had the jail space to do that."

Kane Co. could lose $2.5 million if federal prisoner deal ends - DailyHerald.com

Birds Are Avoiding Offshore Wind Farms, Study Finds | ThinkProgress

 

"Birds Are Avoiding Offshore Wind Farms, Study Finds"

CREDIT: flickr/ James Higgott

A new report by a leading bird research institute in the U.K. found that over 99 percent of seabirds were likely to alter their flight paths in order to avoid collision with offshore wind farms. While the analysis offers new estimates of which seabirds and what percentage change course to avoid wind turbines, it still leaves many questions about the overall impacts of wind turbines — on and offshore — on bird populations.

“It is important not to get lulled into a false sense of security by these figures,” said Aonghais Cook, a research ecologist at the British Trust for Ornithology. “Whilst 99 percent of birds may avoid turbines, collision may still be a significant risk at sites with large numbers of birds. Furthermore, there are still a number of key gaps in knowledge for some vulnerable species.”

The research was carried out on behalf of Scottish government by the British Trust for Ornithology and the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Environmental Research Institute.

While offshore wind is yet to establish itself in the U.S., in the U.K. it has been a major player for nearly a decade. Scotland is trying hard to harness this energy as part of its goal of generating 100 percent of its electricity demand from renewables by 2020. The wind-rich country is home to around a quarter of Europe’s total offshore wind capacity. In October, the Scottish Government approved four huge new offshore wind farms that could produce more than 2.2 gigawatts of power, enough to power 1.4 million homes.

According to The Telegraph, the government gave consent with “strict conditions to minimize the impact on birds and the environment.”

In response to the seabird analysis, Aedan Smith, head of planning and development at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland, said that even with this new evidence, thousands of birds could still be killed each year and that this “could even significantly reduce the total populations of some species.”

“It is therefore vital that individual developments avoid the most important places for seabirds,” he said. “Impacts on seabirds must be reduced significantly if offshore wind is to realize its full potential of delivering much needed sustainable renewable energy.”

Different birds have markedly different reactions to the wind farms, according to the report. Gannets, which are large, white birds, avoid entering wind farms altogether, while gulls are “less cautious” and may even be drawn to the sites for their foraging benefits. Even so, the report says that inside the farms, gulls “seem to show a strong avoidance of the turbine blades.”

Birds Are Avoiding Offshore Wind Farms, Study Finds | ThinkProgress

Kentucky county passes ordinance that hits at power of unions - Yahoo News

 

By Steve Bittenbender

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Reuters) - Warren County, Kentucky passed a right-to-work ordinance on Friday, making the fifth most-populous county the first in the state to pass legislation prohibiting unions from requiring members to pay dues in exchange for representation.

The ordinance, which lawmakers passed by a 6-1 vote, will face a legal challenge by unions, whose leaders said the law is designed to undercut their ability to bargain effectively for workers.

"What we're against is people benefiting from the union and not having to pay the cost," said Bill Londrigan, president of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO.

Supporters of the ordinance say it will help spur economic development in the county, about 100 miles south of Louisville that is home to a General Motors plant manufacturing Chevrolet Corvettes.

The United Automobile Workers' deal with General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet, expires next year. The local chapter represents about 800 employees, said the local's president, Eldon Renaud.

Business groups have tried to pass similar legislation in Kentucky's General Assembly for more than a decade, but have not been able to get it through the Democratic-controlled House.

Now, a county-by-county approach is in the works. Neighboring Simpson County, on the Tennessee border, and Fulton County in the far southwestern corner of Kentucky also have passed initial readings of similar proposals.

Both counties will likely pass the law by the end of the month

Kentucky county passes ordinance that hits at power of unions - Yahoo News

Northern Illinois gets $8.3 million for construction jobs | The Rock River Times

 

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) announced investments of more than $8.3 million for construction projects in northern Illinois Nov. 26.

The road and airport projects in DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle and Winnebago counties are all part of Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program and address critical infrastructure needs in central Illinois.

“I led passage of the Illinois Jobs Now! program immediately after taking office in 2009 because the state had gone nearly 10 years without major capital construction legislation to repair and maintain the state’s infrastructure,” Quinn said. “With Illinois Jobs Now!, we’ve been able to put hundreds of thousands of people to work on badly needed construction jobs while making northern Illinois a better place to live and work.”

The projects will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), except where noted.

Following are the projects by county:

• Winnebago County — Runway 1/19 at Chicago Rockford International Airport will be rehabilitated for $4,705,272 by Sjostrom & Sons, Inc., of Rockford, the lowest of four bidders. The IDOT Division of Aeronautics will manage the project, which includes federal, state and local funding.

• DeKalb County — A detention basin for storm water runoff will be constructed at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport for $775,000 by Elliott & Wood Inc. of DeKalb, the lowest of seven bidders. The IDOT Division of Aeronautics will manage the project, which includes federal, state and local funding.

• Jo Daviess County — Illinois Route 35 will receive 250 feet of storm sewer replacement approximately 0.20 miles northeast of Arrowhead Drive/St. Mary’s Drive in East Dubuque for $90,079 by Law Excavating Inc. of Mt. Carroll, the lowest of four bidders.

An existing single span steel stringer structure will be replaced with a triple-barrel reinforced concrete box culvert on Longhollow Road and a new double-barrel reinforced concrete box culvert will be constructed on Brodrecht Road, 5.5 miles northwest of Elizabeth at Furnace Creek for $1,895,411 by Civil Constructors, Inc., of Freeport, the lowest of four bidders.

• Lee County — Palmyra Road will receive cold milling and HMA resurfacing from Hillcrest Drive to 0.3 miles west of Lenox Road for $394,511 by Civil Constructors, Inc., of Freeport, the lower of two bidders.

• LaSalle and Grundy counties — U.S. 6 will receive drainage improvements 1,773 feet east of Illinois Route 170 in Seneca for $123,213 by D Construction, Inc. of Coal City, the lower of two bidders.

• Ogle County — Interstate 39 interchange ramps will receive pavement patching and resurfacing for $477,219 by William Charles Construction Company, LLC, of Loves Park, the lowest of three bidders.

Posted Nov. 26, 2014

Northern Illinois gets $8.3 million for construction jobs | The Rock River Times

Wind farm project starts in eastern Illinois

 

Herscher is shown on the map with the “B” map pin near Kankakee.

Posted: Oct 02, 2014 8:57 AM CDT

By The Associated Press

HERSCHER, Ill. (AP) — EDF Renewable Energy started construction on an Illinois wind farm project they say should start producing electricity early next year.
The San Diego, Calif.-based energy company said in a news release Wednesday that ground has been broken for the Pilot Hill Wind Project in Kankakee and Iroquois counties in eastern Illinois.
Microsoft Corporation has a 20-year power-purchase agreement with the 175-megawatt wind farm. EDF Renewable said the long-term revenue that deal provides helped make the project possible.
EDF Renewable said the project will include 150 short-term construction jobs, but didn't specify how many permanent jobs it will create.

Above from:  http://www.wrex.com/story/26687060/2014/10/02/wind-farm-project-starts-in-eastern-illinois

 

 

HERSCHER, Ill., Oct 01, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) and Microsoft Corporation today celebrated the launch of the Pilot Hill Wind Project with a groundbreaking ceremony. Located 60 miles southwest of Chicago in Kankakee and Iroquois counties, the 175 megawatt (MW) wind project is expected to begin commercial operation early in 2015. More than 100 people attended the ceremony including U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., who called it a historic day for the state of Illinois and the nation.

“We’re not only breaking ground on an exciting, new wind energy facility, we’re leading the way to a clean energy economy,” said Kelly. “I applaud Microsoft and EDF Renewable Energy for investing in clean energy and standing on the forefront of positive change and social responsibility.”

The Project, consisting of GE 1.7 MW wind turbines, benefits from a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft. The PPA played a key role in advancing the Project by providing the long-term revenue certainty needed to get Pilot Hill off of the ground and into construction.

“The Pilot Hill Wind Project is important to Microsoft because it helps solidify our commitment to taking significant action to shape our energy future by developing clean, low-cost sources to meet our energy needs,” said Paul Scanlan, Senior Program Manager for Energy Strategy. “Microsoft is focused on transforming the energy supply chain for cloud services, from the power plant to the computer chip. Long-term commitments like Pilot Hill help ensure a cleaner grid to supply energy to our datacenters.”

Tristan Grimbert, President and CEO of EDF Renewable Energy, added, “The participation of companies like Microsoft in renewable energy generation projects points to a growing trend of organizations directly procuring clean energy. Companies are coming to understand that setting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments can deliver attractive cost-savings benefits while locking in long-term energy price stability. We are grateful for the sustained efforts of Vision Energy and Orion Energy who shepherded this project through the origination and development phases, and to the landowners who have patiently waited for this day to come.

Pilot Hill will also trigger significant economic development through the creation of approximately 150 local craft labor positions during peak construction as well as long-term operations and maintenance opportunities. In addition, tens of millions of dollars over the life of the project will be provided in the form of lease payments to landowners and property taxes.

With its close proximity to Chicago and one of the top ranking renewable energy training programs in the nation at Kankakee Community College, local officials hope Pilot Hill will prompt more investment in renewable energy in the area.

“Kankakee Community College is excited about the jobs and training opportunities that this project brings to our community,” remarked KCC President Dr. John Avendano. “Renewable energy is key to our future. KCC is proud to be training skilled wind technicians as part of one of the most-recognized renewable energy programs in the country.”

“Kankakee County has shown great commitment to the Pilot Hill Wind Project during the past five years of pre-development,” noted Mike Van Mill, President/CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County. “We are thrilled to see it become a reality. In addition to generating job growth and tax revenue, Pilot Hill further establishes Kankakee County as a renewable energy leader and a green technology hub. Our doors are wide open for green business.”

Mortenson Construction’s Wind Energy Group has started onsite construction activities including construction of all access roads and public road improvements; foundations; turbine erection; operations and maintenance building; collection system; substation; T-line and the installation of MET towers.

As part of EDF Renewable Energy’s community engagement program the company contributed $15,000 to area organizations; Central CUSD #4, Herscher CUSD #2, and the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley each were presented with a check for $5,000.

EDF Renewable Energy is one of the largest renewable energy developers in North America with 5.7 gigawatts of wind, solar, biomass, and biogas projects developed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

About EDF Renewable Energy:

EDF Renewable Energy is a leading U.S. independent power producer with more than 25 years of expertise in the renewable industry, covering all range of services from project development, management to operations and maintenance. EDF Renewable Energy specializes in wind and solar photovoltaic with presence in other segments of the renewable energy market: biogas, biomass, hydro, marine energy and storage solutions. The company develops, constructs, operates and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States for its own accord as well as for third parties. EDF Renewable Energy’s portfolio consists of 4 gigawatts of developed projects with 1.9 gigawatts of installed capacity. EDF Renewable Energy is the U.S. subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles. EDF Energies Nouvelles is the renewable energy arm of the EDF group, the leading electricity company in the world. For more information visit: www.edf-re.com

SOURCE: EDF Renewable Energy

EDF Renewable Energy

Above from:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/edf-renewable-energy-and-microsoft-corporation-break-ground-on-the-pilot-hill-wind-project-2014-10-01

saukvalley.com | Residents sue over wind farm in Lee County in Dixon IL, Sterling, IL and Rock Falls IL

BY DAVID GIULIANI dgiuliani@saukvalley.com

The lawsuit said the wind farm is incompatible with surrounding land uses. The project, it said, will decrease property values, destroy views, create shadow flicker and “incessant and annoying” noise, and hurt wildlife.

The lawsuit identified what the landowners consider procedural errors leading up to the county’s approval of the special-use permits for the project.

The company, for instance, failed to provide a turbine layout, a noise model, or a plan for how it would decommission abandoned turbines, the lawsuit said.

Mainstream’s materials also lacked a certificate from a registered professional engineer that the tower design is sufficient to withstand wind load requirements, according to the lawsuit

Click on the following for more details:  saukvalley.com | Residents sue over wind farm in Lee County in Dixon IL, Sterling, IL and Rock Falls IL