TOWN OF SEYMOUR - Nearly 14 years after the idea was first proposed, Lafayette County may finally get a wind farm on rural land near the Town of Seymour.
In 2002, a study indicated the township produced the best wind in the area. However, at that time, the company wanting to put a wind farm in place could not find suitable buyers for the energy produced by the windmills. Now energy company EDP Renewables North America LLC has decided to build roughly 49 windmills at the site, called the Quilt Block Wind Farm.
Lafayette County Supervisor Leon Wolfe said the original project was put on hold even because the company could not find a buyer, even though farmers were interested in the steady income a windmill on their land would have produced. The county board accepted the development agreement during its February meeting after speaking to project manager Josh Bohack from EDP Renewables.
Wolfe said company representatives met with the board in February to discuss the agreement between local governments and the company, and he believes contract finalization between EDP and the buying company is the final hurdle for the project. Construction should begin in 2017.
"We've heard very little opposition to it," Wolfe said. "I'd say it's favorable at this time."
Lafayette County and the Township of Seymour should receive funding for extra use of infrastructure. Wolfe said roughly $150,000 per year will be distributed to the township and the county should receive about $200,000 per year, up to 20 years, for maintenance of structures such as roads and for everyday protection of the area.
In 2002, a study indicated the township produced the best wind in the area. However, at that time, the company wanting to put a wind farm in place could not find suitable buyers for the energy produced by the windmills. Now energy company EDP Renewables North America LLC has decided to build roughly 49 windmills at the site, called the Quilt Block Wind Farm.
Lafayette County Supervisor Leon Wolfe said the original project was put on hold even because the company could not find a buyer, even though farmers were interested in the steady income a windmill on their land would have produced. The county board accepted the development agreement during its February meeting after speaking to project manager Josh Bohack from EDP Renewables.
Wolfe said company representatives met with the board in February to discuss the agreement between local governments and the company, and he believes contract finalization between EDP and the buying company is the final hurdle for the project. Construction should begin in 2017.
"We've heard very little opposition to it," Wolfe said. "I'd say it's favorable at this time."
Lafayette County and the Township of Seymour should receive funding for extra use of infrastructure. Wolfe said roughly $150,000 per year will be distributed to the township and the county should receive about $200,000 per year, up to 20 years, for maintenance of structures such as roads and for everyday protection of the area.