Marshall Co ZBA Approves Stewardship Energy Project

The Marshall County Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously gave the green light last week to a joint project by Stewardship Energy and Akuo Energy, moving forward what would be the county's second wind project. According to an article in the Peoria Journal-Star:

The project is a joint venture of Tiskilwa-based Stewardship Energy LLC and Chicago-based Akuo Energy USA, a division of a French firm. That partnership plans to own and operate the project after it is built rather than selling it as some developers do, said Akuo official Alain Castro.

"Our business objective is to hold onto these (turbines) for their entire life," Castro said.

The developers countered concerns about property value loss by submitting a recent Illinois State University study concluding that no such negative impact had been found in the 240-turbine Twin Groves wind farm outside Bloomington.

"What we have seen is that there is little or no impact on property values," said lead developer Matthew Kauffman of Tiskilwa.[...]

The ZBA recommendation was coupled with a condition that no building permits be issued until the developers have signed an agreement with Bennington Township to repair any damage to rural roads during construction.

"I'd like to see something in writing and formalized," said township road commissioner Scott Meils.

The issue will go to the County Board for final consideration on Nov. 4.