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ELK RIVER (KS) WIND
FARM PROJECT - BEFORE |
ELK RIVER (KS) WIND
FARM PROJECT - AFTER |
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Is this what you really want for the state of Illinois? While
industrial farms may have some use in areas that have a steady wind
supply, Illinois has no business putting in such installations.
The industrial wind installation at Elk River occupies
more than 15,000 acres of prime land that won't be available for any
other development for at least the next 30 years, at a time when the
value of farmland, and the crops it can produce are at a remarkable high.
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If you think it couldn't happen
in your hometown, think again. These pictures were created by
overlaying graphics of wind turbines over actual aerial pictures
of Lee, Illinois, depicting what the small, Midwestern town
would look like if Florida Power and Light had their way. The
towers were placed in the pictures in proportion to their actual
size and in the areas where it was proposed they should be
placed. FPL
"gave up" on the project, but others have come to take their
place, and FPL is once again active in the area, contacting
landowners to see if they're interested in placing industrial
wind turbines on their property.
This view is from Shabbona Grove Road,
looking north along Woodlawn Road. |
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The town of Shabbona, Illinois,
nearby Lee, recently voted to keep wind turbines a mile and a
half outside city limits, in an effort to keep the behemoths at
bay. The town of Steward, Illinois followed suit, declaring a
2-year moratorium on any wind turbines or projects within their
mile and a half limit. And so the battle continues -
ordinary individuals against industrial giants - companies who
say they'll help change our dependence on energy, when in fact
they use far more energy than they'll ever produce. This view is from Shabbona Grove Road,
looking north along Tower Road. |
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The map at left shows both Lee
and DeKalb Counties, and was originated by FPL Energy, LLC. The
black circles represent existing houses within a 1,400 foot
radius, with 1,400 feet being the distance wind turbines must be
kept away from a home or residence. The red circles
represent the proposed site of a wind turbine, and also
represent a 1,400 foot radius. If this
industrial wind farm had come into existence, or one like it is
allowed to come into existence in the future, the town of Lee
(just below center of map) would be smothered by the turbines,
never to expand or grow. Thanks to
Robert Carlson and Phil Foster for the computer-generated photos
and map of Lee, Illinois and surrounds. |
Thinking about putting turbines on your land? Thinking
about doing business of any sort with a wind energy company?
DON'T DO IT without
reading these suggestions.
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Wind farms such as the Mendota Hills installation, near
Paw Paw, Illinois, invite trespassers because of the now-easy access to
once hard to reach fields. Farmers have had their property posted, and
local law enforcement officials are keeping an eye out for underage
drinkers seeking a quiet place to indulge, as well as amorous couples
with nowhere else to go. (Photo by J. Arthur McFall) |
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This 63-turbine installation near Paw Paw,
Illinois dominates the once-pristine view. The 260-foot-tall towers
are visible for miles, and at night their flashing lights make
stargazing impossible and enjoying a quiet session on the back porch
nearly so.
Wind whooshes through the turbine blades at a varying rate,
depending on current wind speeds, and the noise the turbines make varies
with it. But if the turbines are turning, the noise is always there.
According to a local farmer, who asked not to be named for fear of
reprisals:
"Anyone who tells you they hardly notice the noise these things make
is either a liar or just plain deaf!"
(Photo by J. Arthur McFall) To learn more about wind
turbine noise, click here. |
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The Mendota Hills wind installation dominates the landscape, obliterating forever the wide view and clear skies of the northern
Illinois countryside. (Photo by J. Arthur McFall) |
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