While farmers in Illinois grow corn and soybeans for biodiesel, the Prairie State may soon be producing a different kind of alternative energy. Dominion Resources, a Virginia based energy company, has announced plans to buy 25,000 acres in central Illinois to build the Prairie Forks Wind Farm. Dominion says it will build the 300 megawatt producing farm about 25 miles southeast of Springfield in Christian and Montgomery counties. The AP reports that the farm would contain between 150 to 200 wind turbines:
Dominion development manager Diane Simon says the project will create 300 jobs during construction and 15 to 20 full time jobs once the turbines are operational. She says tax revenue for the project will be about $1 million per year.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, one megawatt of wind electricity is enough to power 225 to 300 households. That means the Prairie Forks Wind Farm could power from 67,500 to 90,000 homes. Construction for the farm is scheduled to begin in 2010 pending regulatory approval.
Post new comment