wind turbines (Peoria, Bloomington, Galesburg: environment, trip , work)

[Warsaw]

Hi Every,
I was wondering if anyone lived near wind turbines and how it effects them.

[runninfiend]

I don't live near them, but I know a bit about how they work. It shouldn't affect much, other than expanding your pocketbook if you own the land they sit on.

What exactly would you like to know?

[IcantSELLmyHouse]

Why dont they build more of these?

[BUalumni]

If you take the time to drive around central Illinois, there are pockets of them popping up. Don't quote me, but I want to say there is a "wind farm" somewhere between Peoria and Galesburg but I can't be sure. I hear McClean county is looking to expand in this area.

[runninfiend]

Originally Posted by IcantSELLmyHouse

Why dont they build more of these?

"They" are in the process of building more. There is a large farm up by Bradford, a farm is pending near Carlock on the McLean/Woodford line, and if you drive route 9 between Bloomington and Gibson City, there is about a ten mile line of many turbines and turbine construction.

Wind farms are a win/win for farmers, landowners, investors, and the environment; they will only be expanding in range and number.

[sgresident]

there are a couple of wind farms out along interstate 39 around paw paw and then a little south. there are quite a few of the turbines. it is impressive to see.

[arpschneider]

Originally Posted by runninfiend

"They" are in the process of building more. There is a large farm up by Bradford, a farm is pending near Carlock on the McLean/Woodford line, and if you drive route 9 between Bloomington and Gibson City, there is about a ten mile line of many turbines and turbine construction.

Wind farms are a win/win for farmers, landowners, investors, and the environment; they will only be expanding in range and number.

Indeed! It is an old idea that has finally arrived in terms of technical advancement and the fruition of R/D with wind generators. And none too soon, so far as I'm concerned, what with the ridiculous power rates that people in Illinois have to pay for their electricity!!

German has been smart and had these for years. WE saw quite a number of such installations on our trip to Germany 3 years ago. I know there are many other European countries that are also harnessing electricity.

North of Clinton, Trinity Structural Towers is cranking-out the towers that support these windmills from the former Thrall Car Company building just as fast as they can. Plans are afoot to install more of these wind farms in DeWitt County as well. I know the county board has been drafting regulations in anticipation of this.

With all of the wind central IL has, it certainly makes sense for us to finally be doing something useful with it, like harnessing it to make electricity.

Too bad Michigan has so many "beach huggers" that are fighting tooth-and-nail to prevent any being installed along the Lake Michigan shoreline; even off-shore. I sure hope they lose any court battles.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

I think windmills are actually really attractive. I prefer them to smokestacks or reactor cooling towers! I've never understood the resistance and "nimby"ism regarding windmills, but everyone is entitled to an opinion.

I hope to see more all over the country.

[GoldenCrow]

Originally Posted by Warsaw

Hi Every,
I was wondering if anyone lived near wind turbines and how it effects them.

Good question. In some places the large wind installations are being built very close to the homes & property of neighbors, and they are experiencing negative effects. Here's a link to an article from the Boston Globe about a problems with a wind installation in Maine:

An idyll lost in turbines' humming - The Boston Globe

Lots of replies about this issue in the Maine forum on CityData:

Wind turbine noise problem in Mars Hill