BLOOMINGTON - Horizon Wind Energy wants to more than double its Twin Groves Wind Farm by adding more than 300 turbines in Merna, Cooksville, Colfax and Anchor.

"We've been talking to farmers since March last year," said project manager Caton Fenz. "We've been pleased with the response from landowners we've spoken to."

Four public meetings are scheduled this week and next so neighbors can learn more about the project and review a map with proposed turbine locations.

The Texas-based company also is considering projects in the Lexington, Chenoa and Cropsey areas and is finalizing plans for Top Crop Wind Farm in northern Livingston, LaSalle and Grundy counties.

Fenz said Twin Groves has been one of the most productive in Horizon Wind Energy's national portfolio.

"We think we have very good wind across the street," he said, referring to Ill. Route 9.

That, combined with supportive landowners, the growing demand and requirements for renewable energy, and the tax credits available to wind providers, prompted the proposed expansion, he said.

Horizon Wind plans to submit a request for a special-use permit this summer for the next phase of Twin Groves and take the issue to public hearings this fall before the McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals.

Construction would start next spring and the first turbine could be up and running by the end of 2010, Fenz said. The balance would be finished in 2011.

Fenz said the project would involve more than 200 landowners.

The company already has 240 turbines in rural Arrowsmith, Ellsworth and Saybrook. The turbines have 396 megawatts of capacity, enough to make electricity to power 120,000 homes. The energy is sold wholesale to a number of retail electric companies around the country, Fenz said.

Paramedic Nancy Kiper, secretary/treasurer for the Eastern McLean County Ambulance Association, is thrilled that more turbines might be on their way.

"I know some people are against them but every time they put one up, we get more money," she said.

Fenz said the company pays between $12,000 and $16,000 a year in taxes for each turbine. Because the tax-supported ambulance association serves the development area, the association expects to get $190,000 a year from the existing turbines.

"We've been here 30 years and people thought we'd be gone by now," Kiper said. "This (the proposed expansion) will help keep the ambulance service going for another 30 years."

Schools also benefit. Ridgeview Superintendent Larry Dodds said his district expects to get about $1.7 million in tax money from the existing turbines. If 300 are added, the district might see another $3 million a year, he said.

Of the existing turbines, 161 are within school district boundaries. Dodds believes the planned expansion would bring 250 more within the boundaries.

Despite losing some state aid because of extra local tax dollars, he said the district still would come out ahead. An exact amount is not yet known.

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GO!

What: Informational meetings on the proposed expansion of Twin Groves Wind Farm

When: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday and June 16, St. John's Lutheran Church, Anchor; Thursday and June 18, Cooksville Firehouse