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News IWWG Siting, Zoning, & Taxing of Wind Farms in Illinois Conference IWWG Siting, Zoning, & Taxing of Wind Farms in Illinois Conference Date: February 24, 2010 (Wednesday) Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Location: Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL Register online: http://www.RenewableEnergy.IllinoisState.edu/events/SZT2010.shtml The Illinois Wind Working Group (IWWG) will host a Siting, Zoning, and Taxing of Wind Farms in Illinois Conference on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at the Peoria Civic Center, in Peoria. IWWG is administered by Illinois State University's Center for Renewable Energy, and is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America state wind working groups. This conference is designed to answer the many questions that county and zoning board members and officials have about the wind energy industry. The one-day conference will feature speaker panels to discuss the responsibilities and best practices of county and zoning boards, taxation of wind farms, property value guarantees, roads and decommissioning. A Wind Energy 101 pre-session will also be offered for those new to wind farm projects. Panelists include Fred Iutzi (Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Western Illinois University), Ben Hoen (subcontractor to Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory), Dan Litchfield (Iberdrola Renewables), Ruth Anne Tobias (DeKalb County), Todd Weegens (Fehr-Graham & Associates), Chuck Schopp (Livingston County), Kyle Barry (McGuire Woods), Wendy Ryerson (Lee County), Kevin Borgia (Illinois Wind Energy Association), Jerry Hicks (LaSalle County), Jim Griffin (Schain, Burney, Banks & Kenny), and Jim Webster (Winnebago County). The event is sponsored by Acciona Energy, enXco, Horizon Wind Energy, Iberdrola Renewables, Mainstream Renewable Power, Natural Resources Consulting, and TradeWind Energy. Register for the IWWG Siting, Zoning & Taxing Wind Farms Conference by Friday, Feb. 19. The early bird registration fee is $30 for government employees, county board members, and zoning board members; $75 for all others. As of Feb. 11, the rates will change to $50 and $100 respectively. A detailed agenda and registration information are available online at http://www.RenewableEnergy.IllinoisState.edu/events/SZT2010.shtml , or by contacting the Center for Renewable Energy at 309-438-7919, email RenewableEnergy@ilstu.edu Affinity Wind, LLC Announces an Investment Affinity Wind, LLC, a St. Louis based wind energy development company, announced an investment by the Biliken Angel Network, a Saint Louis University affiliated angel capital funding network. For more information http://www.affinitywind.com/news/11202009-pr/ GobNob Wind Turbine Project The turbine tower was constructed in late December of 2008, and commercial start-up was completed in early March of 2009. Follow this link to see the video http://www.illinoiswind.org/resources/video.asp Building the Wind Turbine Supply Chain Workshop - Oct 22 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Spoon River College Community Outreach Center MidAmerica National Bank Conference Hall 2500 East Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois This workshop will enable manufacturers to evaluate their capabilities relative to customer requirements, and begin to develop their plan for penetrating the market. Experts in the field of renewable energy will highlight market opportunities in the wind sector for attending manufacturers. The goal of the workshop is to help build a new industry of wind turbine components that will create new jobs and investments throughout Illinois. The workshop will also feature information on growing trends in wind power, major supply chain needs in the wind energy systems industry, retooling investments, and process upgrades that suppliers must address in order to comply with wind industry standards. Cost to attend: $95 Early Bird Registration by October 7, 2009. $125 as of October 8, 2009. Includes lunch. REGISTER NOW! http://renewableenergy.illinoisstate.edu/events/SupplyChainOct2009.shtml Questions? Call the Center for Renewable Energy at 309-438-7919, or email RenewableEnergy@ilstu.edu. Quinn Administration Announces Guidelines for State Energy Grants IIRA Staff members are available to be a resource in your grant development. Contact us at 309.298.2684 Organizations can apply for grants in the following program areas: ·Renewable Energy Production: Supports the development and implementation of large solar photovoltaic, biomass/biogas to energy, hydroelectric, and other renewable energy technologies in Illinois. ·Community Renewable Energy: Supports smaller scale solar, wind and other renewal energy projects. ·Green Industry Business Development: Supports the development or expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency component manufacturers, dedicated biomass crops, the manufacturers of recycled content products, and recycling processing centers, among others. ·Green Roof Grants: Supports development of cost-effective green roof projects that increase energy efficiency, clean and retain rainwater, and reduce "Urban Heat Island Effects." ·Electric Energy Efficiency Program for Public Facilities: Will provide incentives for projects that increase the energy efficiency of public sector entities outside of the Ameren Illinois and ComEd service territories. ·Thermal Efficiency Program for Public Facilities: Supports projects that produce thermal energy savings through efficiency improvements in buildings, equipment or process. ·Large Customer Energy Efficiency: Provides incentives for projects that reduce operating expenses through energy efficiency improvements for Illinois companies that use large amounts of energy. ·Next Generation Biofuels Production: Provides incentives for next generation biofuel technologies that will reduce production costs by increasing production efficiency and reduce potentially harmful greenhouse gas emissions from these facilities. For additional information, including how to apply for SEP grants, interested parties should visit: www.illinoisenergy.org. USDA accepting applications for Renewable Energy systems To all of those who may be interested in the announcement of the 2009 Rural Energy for America Program: USDA published a notice today in the Federal Register announcing it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2009 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding will be available in the form of grants, guaranteed loans, and combined guaranteed loans and grant applications. Grant applications for feasibility studies on renewable energy projects to the same eligible applicants are also being accepted. The deadline for submitting applications is July 31, 2009. If your project involves construction, please contact me right away to begin the environmental review process. Please find below the website with a copy of today's Federal Register Notice. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12178.pdf A copy of the regulation is available at this link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/regs/pdf/4280b.pdf Application templates and other useful items can be found at the Environmental Law and Policy Center website. Please note that this is not a USDA Rural Development website. http://farmenergy.org/tools/tools-and-templates I look forward to working with you and feel free to contact me with any questions. If I am unavailable, please contact Matt Harris at (217) 403-6211 or Ron Firkins at (217) 403-6217. Advancing Wind Power in Illinois Conference - July 15th & 16th, 2009 This conference covers many aspects of wind energy including small wind, community wind and large wind farms. Sessions will include wind assessment methods, economic development, siting and zoning, net metering, construction issues, wind farms and aerial application, wind for schools, how manufacturers can join the supply chain, wildlife and environmental issues, how to get a job in wind energy, and more. The event brings to Illinois nationally recognized experts and local policymakers to discuss wind energy. Landowners interested in wind turbines or leasing their land, county board members, zoning board administrators, elected officials, policy makers, wind development companies, environmental groups, economic development officials, contractors, manufacturers, universities, and schools interested in wind energy should attend. The conference is open to the public. For the complete conference agenda and to register online, please visit http://www.renewableenergy.ilstu.edu/wind/conferences/. AWEA WINDPOWER 2009 in Chicago Illinois has the unique opportunity of hosting the national wind conference in Chicago May 4-7th. If you are interested in more information or attending, visit their website at www.awea.org Wind Supply Chain Workshop April 20th The Quad City Development Group, in partnership with the American Wind Energy Association, Alter Barge Line, Ryan Companies US, Acciona North America, EICCD, The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at WIU, Scott County, The University of Iowa, and others is presenting a Wind Energy Supply Chain Workshop Monday April 20th 2009 from 8 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at the QC Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, IA. The event will focus on the opportunities that exist for regional businesses in the wind energy supply chain, either through retooling or for startup manufacturing. The event also highlights the unique benefits of the Quad City Region including transportation, workforce, and education. The event is the product of the Quad City Development Group's Wind Energy Discovery Group consisting of regional businesses, city officials, and educators focused on enhancing the area economy through wind energy growth and sustainability. You may now access sign-up at http://qcenergizedandsupplied.eventbrite.com New Wind Site Selection Tool The Wind Site Selection Tool is an interactive GIS program that allows users to view selected areas within Illinois and create layers of information in a dynamic map. http://www.illinoissiteselectiontool.org/windsiteselection/ New Maps: Wind Farm Locations-Transmission lines-Substations We have added new maps to illinoiswind.org. These maps are in PDF and can be downloaded. The maps consist of Current Wind Turbine locations, Transmission Lines, and Substations. They can be found at http://www.illinoiswind.org/resources/maps.asp Siting, Zoning & Taxing Wind Farms in Illinois Conference Illinois Wind Working Group is hosting a conference on Siting, Zoning & Taxing Wind Farms in Illinois. Topics include County & Zoning Board duties and Taxation of Wind Farms. February 4, 2009 at Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria, Illinois. Register at www.wind.ilstu.edu Regional Wind Power Supply Chain Initiative http://www.jane-addams.org "Wind power is one bright spot in the American economy, helping to lower home energy bills, strengthen our energy security, create thousands of new manufacturing jobs and reduce global warming emissions while meeting growing demand for electricity across the nation." — Randall Swisher, American Wind Energy Association As a technical training provider to the metalworking trades we are optimistic about the potential wind power has to add to the customer base of the companies we serve and to create manufacturing jobs here in Illinois. We believe that supply chain development is the most rational response. In an effort to leverage the resources that are available, JARC is working with several other organizations and government agencies to facilitate buyer-supplier relationships within the Chicagoland region and beyond, attract foreign direct investment, and encourage local manufacturers to invest in new equipment and technical training. Through identification of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), first tier suppliers, and the regional suppliers able to meet their needs, we intend to match supply to demand and bring business to the region. We will market the capacity of regional manufacturers and make the case to foreign manufacturers that the Chicago metropolitan area has much to offer. If you are # a supplier engaged in this market # a manufacturer seeking to enter this market # an OEM seeking strategic sourcing assistance # a machine tool manufacturer seeking to market your products # or seeking regional investment opportunities in manufacturing …we want to hear from you. JARC is cosponsoring a regional wind power supply chain workshop with the Illinois Wind Working Group and the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest. This event will be held on: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 1 to 6 PM at the Sofitel Chicago O'Hare Speakers will address: # OEM sourcing strategies # supply chain development # technical trends and standards # automation technology # private equity buyouts # and growth capital For more information including an agenda and list of relevant industries and components contact Dylan Tuttle at (773) 728-9769 x37 or dylant@jane-addams.org./wind_power_initiative.html http://www.jane-addams.org/wind_power_initiative.html PTC Extended PTC Extended and good news for small wind Great news: This past Friday, Congress made two great achievements for wind energy! - Congress extended the renewable energy production tax credit, a vital component of financing all utility-scale wind energy projects, through December 31, 2009. - Congress created an investment tax credit for residential-scale wind turbines that will last through 2017. Senate overwhelmingly passes PTC Extension. The U.S. Senate just voted overwhelmingly, 93 to 2, to approve legislation containing a one-year extension of the crucial wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) through December 31, 2009. The bill, H.R. 6049, also would create a new investment tax credit for purchases of small wind systems used to power homes, farms and small businesses. It will be voted on by the house later this week. Wind Maps Will be Updated! New 50 meter & 80 meter wind maps will be available in the coming days. Please check back often. Wind Maps Now Available Wind maps are now available in PDF form. Simply click on the Wind Monitoring Program below Illinois Wind and click on Wind Maps or click on the link above the Illinois map. Section 9006 Program Funds for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements This message is from Molly Hammond, USDA Rural Development- Illinois, April 7,2008 USDA published a notice yesterday (4/6/08)in the Federal Register announcing it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements for agriculture producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding will be available in the form of grants, guaranteed loans, and combined guaranteed loans and grant applications. For FY 2008 there is approximately $15.9 million in funding for competitive grants and $205 million in authority for guaranteed loans. Funding for grant and loan combination packages will be funded from the same allocation as loan guarantees. I have attached the Federal Register document to this email. Please read it carefully. Pay particular attention to the mention of the Environmental Assessment. The environmental process should begin right away. Please contact me for information on environmental requirements for specific projects. This year there will be two competitive grant cycles. The first deadline is April 15, 2008. Applications that are not funded in the first competition will automatically be considered under the second competition. Grant applications in the second cycle are due no later than June 16, 2008. Loan applications and grant/loan combination applications will be evaluated on a bi-weekly basis until June 16. These will be funded on a first-come first-serve basis. I would suggest submitting a combination application as soon as possible. Please note that combination applications must score at least 84 points to remain eligible. Please see the following websites for more information on the program: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html - Section 9006 website A copy of the regulation can be found at the above website, but a more reader-friendly version is available at this link: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/regs/pdf/4280b.pdf Application templates and other useful items can be found at the Environmental Law and Policy Center website. Please note that this is not a USDA Rural Development website. www.farmenergy.org http://www.agmrc.org/agmrc/provider_search.asp - Link to a list of grant writers. I look forward to working with you, and feel free to contact me with any questions. Molly K. Hammond USDA Rural Development - Illinois Business Cooperative Specialist Phone: 217-403-6210 Fax: 217-403-6215 New Legislation - Renewable Energy A number of wind energy related acts have been created to facilitate development. Below are summaries of significant policy. These summaries were prepared from information available at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/default.asp Financial Assistance for School Renewable Energy Projects Public Act 095-0046 An ACT concerning education • Subject to appropriation of funds. o Renewable energy grant program - solar, geothermal, and wind o Installation, acquisition, construction, and improvement of renewable energy resources in public schools • Grant coverage o 50% of cost o Maximum grant of $1,000,000 o School must demonstrate 50% cost share o School may fund its portion with private funds Zoning of Wind Turbines and Farms Public Act 095-0203 An ACT concerning local government County • may establish standards for wind turbines and wind farms o Including height, number o Including the siting of wind turbines in unincorporated areas • does not regulate siting in municipality jurisdiction and a 1.5 mile radius surrounding its jurisdiction • shall hold at least one public hearing not more than 30 days prior to a siting of a wind turbine decision by county board o Notice of hearing published in newspaper with general circulation in county • may allow siting of test wind towers without formal approval • Test wind towers must be dismantled within three years of installation • Provisions of county zoning ordinance pertaining to wind farms, already in effect prior to effective date of this act may continue. Municipality • may regulate wind turbines and wind farms within its jurisdiction and a 1.5 miles radius surrounding its zoning jurisdiction. • shall hold at least one public hearing not more than 30 days prior to a siting of a wind turbine decision by county board o Notice of hearing published in newspaper with general circulation in the municipality • may allow siting of test wind towers without formal approval • Test wind towers must be dismantled within three years of installation School Ownership of Wind Farm Public Act 095-0390 An Act concerning education • A school district may own/operate a wind farm o Individually or jointly o Must reduce directly or indirectly energy or other operating costs of school district • School district may ask for assistance of any State agency in obtaining financing options. • A community college district is covered by the same provisions as a school district Net Metering of Electricity Public Act 095-0420 An ACT concerning regulation • For retail customers that own or operate electric generation from renewable energy on their premises • Electricity providers must offer by April 1, 2008 • Up to rated capacity of 2000 kilowatts per customer o Customers meeting requirements must be accepted into the program until electricity provider has achieved 1% of total peak demand (based on previous year experience), however o Systems rated at 40 kilowatts or less are limited to 200 new customers for a one year period beginning 4/1/08 • Intent is to offset customer's own consumption • Generation offsets consumption monthly o If consumption exceeds generation then billed for the net deficit o If generation exceeds consumption then a credit for the net surplus is carried forward until needed for another net deficit month o Each monthly credit must be used within 12 months at which time it expires • Retail customer owns any credits that may become associated with production of renewable energy • Pro rating for multiple customers such as in a community wind project is at discretion of electricity provider Utility Electricity Public Act 095-0481 An ACT concerning Renewable Portfolio Standards • Minimum percentage of utility's total supply to serve the load of eligible retail customers. • At least 2% by June 1, 2008 • At least 4% by June 1, 2009 • Increasing by 1% per year thereafter to 10% by June 2015 • Increasing by 1.5% each year thereafter to at least 25% by June 1, 2025 • At extent that it is available, at least 75% of the renewable energy resources used shall come from wind generation. Ameren's Guide on Home Renewable Energy and Policy on Purchasing Excess Power You can review Ameren's guide on Photovoltaic and Wind Generator Systems and the policy for purchasing excess electricity at http://www.ameren.com/ENVIRONMENT/ADC_EV_WindSystemsFactors.asp (see section F). Other Wind Energy Incentives Follow the link provided here to view incentives available for Illinois wind energy projects. Click on the state of Illinois and see the latest information http://www.dsireusa.org/ Find elevation for your proposed site If you need approximate elevation information, you can view topographic maps of your area at http://www.topozone.com WIU Receives Grant for Wind Monitoring Project MACOMB, IL - Wind power production presents an opportunity to diversify the agricultural economy, the backbone of many rural communities, and it also helps protect the environment by making use of a clean and green renewable source of energy. To promote and assist with wind energy projects throughout the state, the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University has been awarded a $419,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. The foundation is the sole sponsor of the four-year project in which the IIRA, in cooperation with Western's geography department, will record wind velocity from sites throughout Illinois. Landowners interested in knowing if their location has adequate wind to power a turbine can apply for the instruments used for measuring wind; a limited number of sites will be selected. According to Roger Brown, IIRA research associate and wind program coordinator, the data will be used to create a more detailed wind resource map for the state. "We anticipate that locally-owned wind power projects could be developed as a result of the data," Brown explained. "This project will also contribute to a better understanding of wind quality throughout the state which could lead to more interest in community-based and individual projects." According to the American Wind Energy Association, a wind energy system transforms the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical or electrical energy that can be "harvested" for practical use. Mechanical energy is most commonly used for pumping water in rural or remote locations, while wind electric turbines generate electricity for homes and businesses and for sale to utilities. A 10-kilowatt wind turbine can generate about 16,000 kilowatt-hours annually, more than enough to power a typical household. "This grant allows the Institute for Rural Affairs at Western to provide essential wind information to communities and landowners interested in installing wind turbines," said James Mann, executive director of the Clean Energy Foundation. The foundation also recently awarded $175,000 to the Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative in Pike County for a local wind power project. The cooperative is installing a 1.65 megawatt turbine to generate pollution-free power for its members. Mann noted thqat in the last two years, the foundation has awarded a dozen grants totaling more than $1.5 million to advance community-based wind projects throughout Illinois. For more information on the wind energy project, contact Brown at 309/298-1453. A website (www.illinoiswind.org) to promote the project and house wind data is currently under construction. |
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