Hanover Park officials spar again over wind turbines

The discussion in Hanover Park over wind turbines is generating more hot air.

The village board next month is to consider joining a group of area school districts and communities who are supporting the construction of power-generating wind turbines to reduce electricity consumption. Hanover Park Trustee William Manton has asked for the item to appear on the Jan. 15 agenda.

But Village President Rodney Craig, who's been a big proponent of wind energy, nonetheless is calling Manton's move a political ploy. Craig questions the motivation of Manton and other political foes, whose actions Craig called "dastardly."

"They want to appear to do the right thing before (next spring's local) election," he said.

Manton's seat on the village board, as well Trustees Robert Packham's and Wesley Eby's, are up in the April election, as is village presidency. Craig said he believes trustees up for re-election will try to sabotage his work on the turbine issue. He's not sure what they would do but said he doesn't trust them based on past interactions and prefers to work on the turbine issue outside of the village board.

"I'm not willing to lay such a precious gem on the table," Craig said.

But Manton said he and Eby asked Craig months ago if Hanover Park could join the Wind Farm Energy Alliance, and Craig ignored the request.

"The truth is that we've never been asked" to assist in the project, Manton said.

Craig has been championing the wind turbine cause for the past two years, saying taxpayers could save money if schools like those in Keeneyville Elementary District 20, which had hoped to install a turbine, used less electricity. Craig said the issue has become a personal one for him but that he also doesn't want to horde the credit.

"I don't want my name up in lights," he said.

Manton said one reason he wants the village to join the alliance is to show the public that trustees do support "green" initiatives such as wind turbines.

"The bottom line is I'm not against wind energy," he said.

Initially proposed to be built in the village, officials backed off construction of a more than 300-foot tall wind turbine for safety and practicality concerns. Instead officials are pushing for a turbine farm near downstate Normal.

Manton said he wants more information on the turbines before committing, which is why he didn't initially support the plan.

Earlier this month, Hoffman Estates joined the 25 members of alliance, which includes Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54.

The plan was originally brought to the village board in 2006 by District 20 officials. The school system said connecting to the turbines would cost $1 million for its three schools, and added that from 2010 to 2039, District 20 would spend $20 million on electricity. After connected to the turbine, District 20 could save $10.9 million over that time.

The plan for the wind turbine farm isn't finalized, but supporters hope construction of the 250 turbines could start next year.

Whether wind turbines become a contentious issue in the upcoming local elections remains to be seen.

The village president's post is among the local seats up in Hanover Park, and Manton said Tuesday he knew of at least three potential challengers for Craig, should he formally enter the race himself. Last year, Craig bested Packham by just 40 votes to complete the term of longtime Mayor Irv Bock, who died in office in 2006.