Published: November 20, 2008 07:08 pm      

Clinton mayor: Eagle Point Park will not house wind farm

CLINTON – Clinton's mayor is responding to reports that indicate Eagle Point Park could be the site of a proposed wind farm, stating that it will not happen.

“Recent news media reports indicated that Clinton County may become a new site for a wind farm and the TV footage showed pictures of Eagle Point Park during this TV segment,” Holm stated in a press release issued Thursday.

But Holm said he wants to assure residents that Eagle Point Park and other city parks are a treasure to the city of Clinton and “under no circumstances will there be a wind farm constructed on those premises.”

The issue surfaced earlier this week when the Clinton County Board of Supervisors 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 Monday that EcoEnergy consultants were looking at three specific spots in the county, including Eagle Point Park, the proposed industrial park and just west of Goose Lake.

Supervisor Dennis Starling noted Monday 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. Supervisor Chairman Grant Wilke suggested that Vrtol contact the Clinton City Council.

Steve Ames, president of the Clinton Regional Development Corp., also appeared before the Supervisors on that day to report the wind park would provide a great advantage to the area, allowing for increased marketing opportunities.

“I think the possibilities would be very good for the area. I think it's a great idea,”Ames stated Monday. “Everything is going green, and if we have it in our own backyard, it would be great.”

But Holm said that won't happen in Eagle Point Park.