Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., has signed into law H.B.2988, which is designed to clarify current law around zoning standards for wind energy development across Illinois.
H.B.2988, which takes effect immediately, allows only counties and municipalities to establish standards for wind farm development. Townships will no longer have zoning authority.
“I appreciate Governor Pritzker’s support of this important bill,” says Rep. Ann Williams, the bill’s House sponsor. “This legislation reaffirms existing law and enables counties and municipalities to enact wind zoning energy regulations, ensuring that our state can continue expanding our clean energy economy through the development of wind farms throughout Illinois.”
According to Pritzker, the new law will help create jobs, revitalize communities with new investment in rural areas – including in annual payments directly to landowners and farmers and property tax payments to schools and local government bodies – and produce renewable energy that will help Illinois work toward lowering its emissions.
“I’m committed to putting our state on a path toward 100 percent clean and renewable energy, and this bill I signed into law today will help get us there,” said Pritzker on Friday, when the bill was signed into law. “Illinois has over 3,500 MW of operating wind capacity, and under my administration, we’re going to further embrace our clean energy future and take bold action to combat climate change.”
“Wind and solar companies are making tens of millions of dollars of investment in Illinois’ new green economy,” notes Sen. Bill Cunningham, the bill’s Senate sponsor. “We can’t let unnecessary government regulation block the creation of high-paying jobs and the much-needed property tax revenue wind farms will produce for our schools.”
I believe there should be an environmental study for humans and birds. Also, there needs to be an environmental study of solar panels regarding the long term impacts
100% renewable energy will leave the country 90% in the dark. Foolish dreamers haven’t a clue about reality. Renewable and reliable do not go hand in hand, without doing damage to the environment. Recycling failed wind turbines will be the next asbestos and agent orange debacle.
I agree with your observations. Green energy is great but it cannot feel the needs of America and our military! I also disagree with the PTC tax credit because if it’s such a great thing for Americans it should be able to survive on its own and the same goes for electric vehicles!
Chase, your understanding of wind energy is very dated. I live in Texas where wind is an enormous $100 billion + industry and has reliably supplied the state with upwards of 30% of its energy needs for 10 years now. The central core of the US is the “OPEC” of wind energy and is producing the lowest cost energy in the country for states like TX, OK, KA, IA, and many others. Since wind energy came to Texas energy prices have fallen and $1 billion dollars a year is paid out to landowners and municipalities saving rural Texas from further… Read more »
I lived in Texas for seven years from 2002 to 2009 and electric rates range from $.10-$.18 per kilowatt hour which is very expensive! Deregulating electricity in Texas drove prices through the roof IMO. IL rates were in the Six cents per kilowatt hour then. If those rates have come down in the past 10 years please publish them! As I said before there’s nothing wrong with green energy but if it’s such a great idea and a great product for Americans We shouldn’t have to pay for a PTC tax credit.