A Florida renewable energy company with aspirations to build a windfarm in DeKalb County gets strong opposition from residents there at today’s zoning hearing.
Next Era Energy wants to build 133 wind turbines across 70 miles in Afton, Clinton, Milan and Shabbona townships.
Several hundred residents and business owners showed up to the hearing at Sycamore High School. Many feel the turbines would destroy their property values and think they’re not efficient enough to make it worth it.
“We’re worried about the actual claims that are being made in the case of the number of homes being served. And the noise level that they’re talking about here sounds to us to already be in violation of the Illinois EPA.”
Illinois Wind Watch reps say Next Era’s windfarm would be ten decibels louder than Illinois standards.
If approved, this will become the first windfarm in DeKalb County. The project could create about 150 construction jobs and 15 permanent jobs.
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21 March 2009
