PEORIA COUNTY, Ill. – A grassroots group, “No To Peoria County Windmills”, is trying to put a stop to four proposed windmill projects.
Farmer Dan Hines tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan”, the first project, in NW Peoria County, has received DOD/FAA approval for up to 124 windmills that are almost 700 feet tall.
“630 (feet) is the St. Louis Arch, so we’d be almost 60 feet taller. And, the props are almost 220 feet, so it’s gonna span about 400 feet,” Hines says.
According to Hines, the windmills in nearby Wyoming, Illinois are about half the size, at 350 to 400 feet tall.
A Spanish-based oil and gas company, Repsol, is behind the windmill projects proposed in Peoria County.
“They would get hundreds of millions in federal tax dollars, because these things are highly subsidized to make ‘em work,” Hines says.
Ultimately, the Peoria County Board has to vote on the wind farms, but Hines says Repsol has been signing up for farm land since 2021, long before applying for permits.
“No To Peoria County Windmills” says the windmills decrease farm property values, produce vibration which negatively affects livestock and wildlife, and can cause health issues for people nearby.
Hine’s group has placed “No To Windmills” signs all over Peoria County to bring awareness, and to make their case to block the projects.
Hines suggests residents contact their representatives on the Peoria County Board to have their voices heard.
To learn more about “No To Peoria County Windmills”, click HERE.
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