Clinton County looks to join list of wind farm locations

The Times

Clinton County isn't the only Indiana county that has recognized the importance of alternative energy sources.

On Thursday, Gov. Mitch Daniels attended a ceremony to mark the continued development of the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm in Benton County.

"We need more energy, more homegrown energy and more cleaner and greener energy," Daniels said.

Benton County's project is a shared initiative of BP Alternative Energy and Dominion Resources. The first phase of the farm should be working later this year. It will use 222 turbines to generate 400 megawatts of power.

The second phase will produce an additional 400 megawatts of power, with construction expected to begin next year.

The wind farm will eventually be one the of largest in the nation.

Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Assistant Director Shan Sheridan said Friday that progress is being made in developing wind farm facilities here.

"We are much closer that we were six months ago," he said.

Chamber CEO Gina Sheets told The Times Friday that she met with the ninth party interested in wind farm possibilities in the county on Thursday.

Sheets noted that some of these parties have been in contact with county residents regarding lease arrangements.

"I do believe some have had progress working with land owners," she said.

These leases can be as long as 30 years, and Sheets said a variety of issues must be worked out.

"There's a lot of give and take," she said.

Sheets stressed the construction of a wind farm in the county is still years away.

David Quinby, of Stoel Rivers LLP Attorneys at Law, told a group of community leaders in February that a roadblock in wind farm construction can be selling enough landowners on the merits of such a project.

"There's a challenge for developers to get there," he said.

Quinby also said noise, aesthetic and nature-related issues can hinder a wind farm project.

"Sometimes there is the birds and bunnies assessment," he said.

Financing issues have been raised in the discussion of possible Clinton County wind farm project. Robert Manicke, of Stoel Rivers, said in February that states differ in tax systems for wind farm projects.

"It can be a gray area," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.