Wind Energy 101 for Landowners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2009

The forum series "Wind Energy 101; From a Landowners Perspective" continues with workshops scheduled for the fall and winter: Dec 9^th – Livingston County. The workshops are designed to help landowners make informed decisions about wind energy developments and leases. Over the past year, the Illinois Wind Working Group (IWWG) and University of Illinois Extension, with assistance from other groups, have coordinated eight of the forums across the state.

The workshop will begin with onsite check-in at 1:00, the program will be from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. University educators and industry professionals will present a background overview of wind (economics, why wind, etc), timeline for a wind development, agricultural issues related to wind development, and lease and contract issues.

"Wind energy in Illinois is going to experience explosive growth," says Dr. David Loomis, Director of the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University. "Illinois recently surpassed the 1,000 MW mark for wind capacity in the state and I see no end to the projects that are coming on-line."

"Landowners need to consider the long term implications before signing a contract with a developer," according to Stanley Solomon, University of Illinois Engineering Technology Educator. "While there are definite benefits to wind energy, the impacts on agriculture and future development of the land should be part of the decision. Limitations on locations and construction of new buildings, aerial crop spray applications, and practical cultivation equipment sizes are among the issues that should be considered." These and other issues will be discussed during the workshops.

The December 9^th forum will be held at the Livingston County Extension Office in Pontiac at 1412 South Locust Street. The early-registration deadline is December 4^th for the discount registration fee of $20. Late registration and at the door will be $25 based on available space. Online registration for the Pontiac meeting can be found at the Livingston County Extension web site: web.extension.uiuc.edu/Livingston. Or contact the University of Illinois Livingston County Extension office at 815-844-3622.