Wind Energy

Statewide averages over each period were marginally higher than for the region. Overall land values were still up across the state last year, but the report showed some declines in the price of high-quality farmland in northeastern Illinois and the region around Decatur.

Dozens of central Illinois students competed this week at the Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College to explore the world of renewable energy.

The turbine, located just east of Rivian’s sprawling manufacturing plant, became operational Friday. It’s designed for a capacity of at least 2.8 megawatts and is capable of generating nearly 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year.

Efforts are ramping up at the state and federal levels to create more green energy infrastructure. There’s a lot in the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois to stimulate creation of infrastructure, and advocates are increasingly trying to get public buy-in of what will change the landscape — sometimes literally.

The Alta wind farm west of Wapella has a power purchase agreement with Meta and its DeKalb Data Center.

Jonathan Alexander is the site manager of the Ellsworth-based Twin Groves wind farm, owned by EDP Renewables North America.

McLean County Board Chair John McIntyre says if there's no resolution by March 16, he will direct the board to take action against the wind energy companies.

Illinois State University already recycles, tries to reduce food waste, and is swapping out lighting fixtures for lower energy LED fixtures. Elisabeth Reed, the director of ISU's Office of Sustainability and member of the Presidential Sustainability Council, said ISU's first Sustainability Strategic Plan plan offers a road map to do more.

The council will vote during its regular meeting whether to lease 27 cameras from Flock Safety, for close to $84,000. That's the same vender Bloomington chose.

The public can learn about Rivian’s plans to install a large-scale wind turbine at its Normal manufacturing campus during an open forum next week.