CLINTON, Ill. (WAND) — Wind energy is one step closer to being a reality in DeWitt County.
The county board approved increasing the setback distance for wind turbines from homes to 2000 feet but declined to place limits on turbine height.
Tradewind Energy considers the votes a victory for its wind energy project.
“It [would’ve] made it pretty tough to compete on the open market with those two strict standards,” said development director Tom Swierczewski.
The narrow 6-5 vote against the height restriction was a tough defeat for the project’s opponents. Their proposal to limit the height at 499 feet would have limited the number of flashing lights lighting up the sky each night.
Tradewind cites job growth and tax revenue as the main reasons for residents to get behind the project. But opponents fear the towering machines will bring adverse health effects and depress property values.
But the battle for the breeze in DeWitt County is far from over. Tradewind still needs to secure a special use permit from the county and the opposition says they are not going anywhere.
“This is going to be a very long process so we’re looking forward to the next ordinances that will be coming to them in just a few short months,” said opposition organizer Andrea Rhoades.
No matter what hurdles the project may face, Swierczewski is confident the wind energy production will be the future of DeWitt County.
“[There was] certainly a lot of emotion,” Swierczewski said. “But I think they made the right decision and it’s going to help us move the project forward.”
If all goes well, Swierczewski says the project could be complete as soon as 2020.
