Company backs Boone County wind farm plans despite international report - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Jennifer Wheeler
Rockford Register Star

- A company interested in developing a wind farm in Boone County says its leaders are still fundraising for a project, despite an international news report that indicated the business would be dropping its North America ties.

An Irish Times article from 2013 cited a document sent to Mainstream Renewable Power stakeholders stating that the development of new wind production facilities in North America was "unviable" for the company because of a lack of support and undesirable market conditions.

Vince Green, development project manager for the Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power, said although the development is dependent on the economy, it would be ideal for the company to see a project through to construction.

"(The article) makes it sound like we're cutting and running but that's not the case," Green said. "If we're pursuing additional funds or fundraising, that would suggest that we are not anticipating leaving the North America market."

Read the entire RR Star article by clicking on the following:  Company backs Boone County wind farm plans despite international report - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

LIHEAP Energy Assistance

DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAVE HEATING PROBLEMS?  If so, please read about the LIHEAP and emergency heating programs from the Community Action Agency of Boone & Winnebago Counties.

Community Action Agencies across the State are reporting that propane suppliers are either running short or have increased their prices dramatically.  Some agencies are reporting that their vouchers are no longer being accepted and suppliers are only delivering for cash up front.  We haven’t seen this issue yet locally that we are aware.  If you have constituents that are having this issue please let me know.

We still have LIHEAP funds available.  I’ve attached the outreach sites.  If people are disconnected, they do not need an appointment, they can walk into our office.  The list of what people need for an appointment is part of the attachment.

The Emergency Furnace program operates through March.  If you have home owner constituents with a non-working or non-heat producing furnace, they can come to our office as a walk-in or they can call 815-962-5019.

We are still accepting Weatherization applications.  Interested constituents should call 815-962-5019.

 Jennifer Jaeger, Community Services Director| Community Action Agency

A Division of the City of Rockford Human Services Department

| phone: 815.987.8047 | fax: 815-987-8046 | email: Jennifer.Jaeger@rockfordil.gov

Si usted tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda en espanol, por favor comunicase con Patricia Ortiz al 815-987-5711 ext. 2224

Here are more details concerning heating and weatherization programs. 

Application sites vary with the benefit sought.  A summary of the sites for applying for each benefit is shown below. 

CLICK ON THE PHOTOCOPY TO ENLARGE

rvpnews | Belvidere Daily Republican

Standing room only at board meeting on critical wind farm vote

Jan. 21, 2014

By Tricia Goecks

BELVIDERE – A standing room only crowd attended the Boone County board meeting on Jan. 15. The meeting attracted participants from as far as Chicago to express their opinions. The board members were deadlocked in a 6-6 tie vote on an amendment to extend the minimum setback distance requirement for wind turbines. As a result of the tie vote  the  minimum set back  distance requirements will remain at 1,000 feet. Brad Fiddler, Denny Ellingson, Bob Walberg, Karl Johnson, Paul Larson and Chris Berner voted to increase the minimum setback distance to 1,500 feet from buildings or property lines. Bill Pysson, Cathy Ward, Ron Wait, Marion Thornberry, Kenny Freeman and Craig Schultz voted to oppose the amendment

I wanted to offer a compromise,” said Walberg of his proposed amendment to extend the minimum setback requirement to 1,500 feet from property lines or buildings. “There is one farmer up there I know, they are struggling to make ends meet. So it has a value to them. But these other people who are appalled to have these turbines as a neighbor, you have to give them a little bit of space.”

Proponents of the amendment cited health, safety, sleep deprivation and flicker concerns of the wind farms. Opponents of the amendment cited financial, green energy and the role that special-use permits should play in protecting the health and welfare concerns of residents.

“I am glad that this is over with and neighbors can talk to neighbors. If an application comes in, the special-use features of the wind turbine ordinance will ensure that all citizens’ health will be well protected,” said Pysson.

The result of the vote will allow Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power to move forward in their efforts to expand into Boone County in Leroy and Manchester Townships. “One of my biggest regrets is that many people’s concerns were dismissed in favor of a foreign company,” said Walberg.

This article is available at:  rvpnews | Belvidere Daily Republican

To get ahead, more Americans must do this one thing - Yahoo Finance

MOVE MOVE MOVE MOVE

economists have been puzzled about why the latest recession produced such a feeble recovery, but here’s one important new clue: The portion of Americans moving from place to place has fallen close to record lows, inhibiting people’s ability to go where the good jobs are or remake themselves in one place after flaming out in another.

Labor mobility, as it is known, has always contributed to the dynamism of the U.S. economy and, usually, to brisk recoveries

Click on the following for more details:  To get ahead, more Americans must do this one thing - Yahoo Finance

Wine & Beer Tasting Benefit February 13, 2014

Scholarship from Boone County Democrats

The Boone County Democratic Central Committee will award a
$500.00 scholarship to a graduating senior of Belvidere HS, Belvidere ,
North HS,
North Boone HS, or a Boone County resident currently pursuing higher
education.  Applicant must be a registered voter or parents must be
registered voters.  Applicant must be able to show acceptance or
enrollment in an accredited college, university, or training school
and submit an essay (500
words) discussing: Some of the major contributions the Democratic
Party has made to American Government. 

Applications are due on March 1, 2014.
Contact Bruce Marquardt at 815-544-9144

February 13, 2014: Benefit for Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry