10 wind turbines could sprout in Antioch area
A company known for its involvement in the waste industry over the decades is considering a new venture that could put as many as 10 wind turbines in an open field in Newport Township.
Whether Sexton Energy LLC will pursue the plan is to be determined. But the possibility has prompted county planners to start working with three communities to head off potential problems.
"What impact does it have on the public? It's a good regional question to explore the technology in greater detail so we can make some intelligent decisions," said Dustin Nilsen, Antioch's director of planning and zoning.
Old Mill Creek and Wadsworth also would have a say in the Spencer Wind Farm Project, which could be housed on 380 acres Sexton has owned for some time, as the area is within a mile and a half of their municipal boundaries. The property is in unincorporated Lake County, a half mile south of the Wisconsin border and about a half-mile west of the Tri-State Tollway near the Russell Road exit.
Plans envision using wind to generate up to 65 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year, enough to power as many as 5,000 homes. The company says the wind farm would reduce emissions and create jobs and tax revenue.
Hillside-based Sexton established its energy division in 2003 as a means to diversify the company, which has designed and built landfills. The company has been considering Lake County since early 2007, according to Todd Daniels, director of operations.
"It seemed to be a natural fit given our alternative energy industry," he said. The concept would be the first so-called commercial wind farm in Lake County. There are a smattering of single wind turbines throughout the county, although there is no universal regulation.
In light of that and with the expectation that similar proposals will be forthcoming, some communities have imposed moratoriums. Nearly two dozen communities have been working with the county as a wind energy task force to develop standard guidelines.
Sexton has not submitted an official proposal, but a provision in state law gives communities siting and regulatory authority over wind farms and electric-generating devices a mile and a half beyond their boundaries.
The idea is to forge an agreement between the three towns to facilitate permitting and regulation of a commercial wind farm. The county's planning, building and zoning committee recently authorized the staff to proceed and meetings are being planned.
"We have to agree on everything from height and noise ... we would probably take the work of the task force and the model ordinance we're still working on and present that to the villages," said David Husemoller, senior county planner.
Antioch, for example, has guidelines for height and setbacks for accessory structures, like sheds, but not specifically for wind turbines.
"It doesn't fit nicely into one of our more conventional land uses," Nilsen said.