WIND IS WORTH BILLIONS TO ILLINOIS

Report: Wind farms add billions of dollars to local economies

Mary Ann Ford, July 17, 2012 (Pantagraph)

“Illinois’ 23 largest wind farms — several of which are in Central Illinois — will add $5.8 billion to local economies over the life of the projects, according to [ Wind Energy Development in Illinois from] Illinois State University…

“The construction of wind farms…[in Illinois] generated 19,047 construction jobs and 814 local, long-term jobs…During the construction phase of the various wind farms, workers made more than $1.1 billion. The wind farms generate $28.5 million in annual property taxes, and landowners make about $13 million a year by allowing turbines to be placed on their properties…”

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“…[W]ind farm production is at a standstill now because a production tax credit that helped offset project costs expires at the end of the year…[The president and director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter said extending that tax credit is [critical]…

“…Larry Flowers, deputy director of the American Wind Energy Association, said coal and gas producers receive subsidies so wind energy should as well to level the playing field. Flowers said wind energy projects are important for job creation in the United States…”

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