Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative (RECC)'s GobNob wind turbine, located at the former Freeman Crown 1 Coal Mine in Illinois, was dedicated at a recent ceremony.
The property is now owned by the Department of Natural Resources and is part of Sangchris Lake State Park.
‘Our members have voiced great support for this renewable energy project,’ says David Stuva, president and CEO of RECC. ‘We want to do our part to promote the technology and show that wind power can work in this part of the state, even though it provides just a small part of our energy needs. Every bit is important, though, and the GobNob turbine will continue to benefit our members and the entire state for many years to come.’
The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity provided a $225,000 grant for the project, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development added a grant for $375,000 and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation contributed $150,000.
The 900 kW wind turbine has already produced over 300,000 kWh of electricity and is expected to produce about 2.5 million kWh annually.
SOURCE: Rural Electric Convenience Cooperative
