Wind keeps the lights on at central Illinois drive-in

GIBSON CITY -- Mike Harroun says the wind blows a steady 12 to 15 miles an hour around the central Illinois town of Gibson City.

That's why he's set up two energy-producing wind turbines at the entrance of his Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In. Harroun believes the Harvest Moon is the world's first wind-powered drive-in.

The electricity the turbines produce is fed into the power grid and the theater is credited for it. That includes the six months a year the theater is closed.

Harroun says initially his power costs will be cut by 30 percent. He hopes to pass those savings to customers in the form of lower ticket and concession prices.

And, eventually, he hopes to generate enough power to cover his drive-in's needs.

The theater sits on the outskirts of Gibson City, about 30 miles north of Champaign.