|
 Relight
is a wind farm corporation with headquarters in Italy. Relight US,
the subsidiary working on this project, is wholly owned by Relight.
The wind farm would be located south and west of Mount Pulaski, with
towers stretching into Elkhart and Broadwell. The wind farm would
consist of 81 wind turbines, collector lines, sub-stations,
transmissions lines, access roads, meteorological towers and related
appurtenances. In total, the project would encompass 8,100 acres
across the county.
The ZBA members listened to a continued testimony from Robert
Paladino, who was present as a representative of Relight. Paladino’s
testimony focused on the economic benefits to the county and
scientific studies on the potential health-related issues that may
arise from infrasound generated by the machines, or lack thereof.
According to estimates from Relight using available data, the county
could gain $2.44 million in property taxes the first year of
operation, with landowners receiving over $800,000 total in leasing
agreements in the first year.
Concerned citizens of Logan County spoke for over three hours on
their feelings towards this matter. Many of the speakers stated that
the property taxes would neither make up for the loss in property
value to the area, nor would it be worth the potential health risks
cited in opposing studies.
After public comments were finished, ZBA Chairman Doug Thompson said
the members would need time to read through the additional research
that was provided by Relight and the concerned public. They also
would need to allow for adequate time before the county board can
make the ultimate decision on the matter, as the ZBA only makes a
recommendation.
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At the Workshop of the Logan County Board, taking place
simultaneously as the ZBA Public Hearing, Jan Schumacher said
that she had been in contact with concerned citizens and planned
to visit a site with a working turbine. She urged her fellow
board members to also apprise themselves of as much as they
could about the proposed wind farm impacts.
Due to the timing of getting a ZBA recommendation, the matter
could not be decided by the County Board until the January
meeting, at soonest.
The third part of the hearing will be held in the same location
at the same time on January 8th. The ZBA will not take comments
from the public on this date, although they encourage people to
attend and watch the deliberations.
A more full report on comments made during this hearing will
appear in Lincoln Daily News.
[Derek Hurley/Jan Youngquist]
Beginning of Public
Hearing
11/24/2014 -
Mount Pulaski community hears details of
proposed Meridien Wind Farm
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