Wind Farm

Letter to the Editor

The Quincy Herald Whig recently conducted a poll on whether wind turbines should be permitted within 1.5 miles of rural towns and villages in Adams County. As one would anticipate, the majority voted “no.” The fact that wind turbines should be banned from population centers was also confirmed by several petitions signed by residents of Clayton and Golden, who overwhelmingly “voted” that wind turbines should be banned.

The Adams County Board now has a clear mandate and it should amend the Wind Ordinance to ban wind turbines within the 1.5 mile of all towns and villages. Even if the Adams County Board fails to act, one would hope that any organization interested in developing wind energy resources in the County would not cite turbines close to any population center. The failure to do so can only be explained by a disregard for the health and welfare, and the wishes, of rural residents in Adams County.

This past summer I urged the Adams County Board to increase the wind turbine setbacks to 1/2 mile from any residential structure and 1,000 feet from a non-participating property line, protect rural towns by creating turbine-free zones, and to ensure that the wind developers provide Adams County with appropriate financial guarantees. Adams County took steps to protect its financial interests, and I would encourage the Board to carefully consider amending the Wind Ordinance to increase setbacks and to create wind-free zones to protect non-participate landowners as well as rural towns and villages.

Illinois law permits any town or village to regulate wind turbines. Camp Point, Clayton, and Golden have all taken responsible steps to investigate the impact of wind farm development on their respective communities, and make decisions based on what is best for their respective communities. They have also included the community in the debate, and listened to community concerns. Their hard work and ongoing focus on this issue is a tremendous...