County hears wind park proposal

Rebecca Boysen
Herald Staff Writer

November 18, 2008 11:22 am

— CLINTON — The Clinton County Board of Supervisors recently heard an option for “going green.”
The board heard a proposal during Monday’s meeting from Dave Vrtol, a representative from EcoEnergy, a renewable energy company that is considering creating a wind park in Clinton County.
According to Vrtol, EcoEnergy is currently working on three projects in Illinois and Wisconsin, and developers have selected Clinton as an excellent location for a future project.
Vrtol stated that EcoEnergy consultants are looking at three specific spots in the county, including Eagle Point Park, the proposed industrial park and just west of Goose Lake.
“We see (Clinton) as being a very good prospect for us,” Vrtol told the board. “There is lots of opportunity.”
Vrtol added that the company would first set up a test tower to measure winds and determine if construction of a wind park would be feasible. The tower would have a minimal footprint of one-quarter to one-eighth of an acre, and would collect data over a one to two year testing period.
“First, we need to determine if and how it can be done,” Vrtol stated. “Then we can decide on a general direction.”
Vrtol reported that the proposed park would encompass roughly 9,000 square acres, and include approximately 150 turbines. The turbines serve to transform the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy, which is then sold to the area utility company or into the wholesale power market.
Vrtol noted that wind parks are developed with the permission of property owners, and stated that the turbines cause little interference and minimal impact on agriculture.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Paul Ketelson noted that, because the tower would measure 60-80 meters tall, it would require a special permit from the Board of Adjustments.
Supervisor Dennis Starling noted that, although two of the proposed locations are inside city limits and therefore out of the jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors, he lends his support to the project.
“Renewable energy has to be developed — we can’t keep using fossil fuels,” Starling stated. “We need to find alternative energy sources.”
Starling added that he recently traveled to St. Cloud, Minn., where he saw several wind parks.
“I was very impressed. There was minimal impact on agriculture,” Starling reported.
“Light poles and utility lines have more of an impact on farming,” he said.
Chairman Grant Wilke asked Ketelson to assist Vrtol in communicating with the Board of Adjustments, and also suggested that Vrtol contact the Clinton City Council.
“This board, and this area, are interested in alternative energy,” Wilke said, adding that the proposed wind park would not only help build economic development, but also “help out our planet.”