COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A cheaper and cleaner form of energy is coming to Coles County.
APEX Clean Energy is preparing to install wind turbines soon. Nonetheless, the company must complete several steps and meet requirements before beginning construction.
Due to state regulations, surveying the farmland is a must, which can lead to damaging the crops — but that isn’t news to any of these farmers.
The land owners get up to $5 million per year collectively, and they agree to possible damage when signing their leases with APEX.
Officials said that no landowners have expressed concerns about the crop damage and are excited for this new development.
“They are aware of our presence, and no one has expressed any concerns about it,” stated Ray Hoover, Senior Manager at APEX Clean Energy. “The farmers are enthusiastic about this initiative. The landowners will receive significant payments for themselves and future generations. I believe this will greatly impact their lives.”
Hoover mentioned that around $83 million in property tax revenue will be reinvested into Coles County’s schools and community throughout the project’s estimated thirty-year duration.
He hopes construction on the wind farm will begin later this year.
