Kane County to explore wind power ... and no, not the Batavia windmills

If a private company has its way, there may be a change of power in Kane County.

The Kane County energy and environmental committee heard the first pitch for a wind energy study Wednesday that could eventually bring modern-day windmills, known as wind turbines, to the county. The idea is to create a clean form of renewable energy by harnessing wind power to generate electricity.

"There is a wind blowing across the prairie, and you are in the way in Kane County," said Mike Hoadley, the director of business development for Chicago-based GSY Energy Inc.

Hoadley told the committee now is the time to pounce on this sort of project in order to bring more federal stimulus bills to the county. Indeed, there is about $80 billion for clean energy and green infrastructure included in the stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama Tuesday.

While the committee expressed an interest in the potential to reduce energy costs and create a new income source for the county, it's clear there will be no rushing into any project just for the sake of capturing more federal dollars.

Committee member Jim Mitchell of North Aurora said not every community will jump at the chance to have a 65- to 130-foot wind turbine, and there's a lot to learn before giving any project a green light.

Hoadley said the most potential to harness the greatest wind is likely on the west side of the county, and there are devices that look more akin to public art available to soften the visual impact of a move toward wind power.

Field testing is necessary to determine if the geography and wind flowing through the county will support wind power. The committee ran out of time to fully discuss what the next steps might be, but it will likely revisit the issue.

Wind: Western part of Kane might be more suitable