Foster takes a gander at Big Sky wind farm

OHIO – Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster toured the Big Sky wind farm construction site Monday, and Congress’ only scientist kept project officials on their toes.

“You’re the only one in Congress who could figure out what size wrench this would take,” said Charley Parnell, spokesman for the Edison Mission Group, which is developing the project.

Big Sky is a $525 million, 240-megawatt project, with 114 turbines spread over Bureau and Lee counties. It is expected to deliver $30 million in tax revenue during its 20-year life span, and put $20 million more in lease payments in landowners’ pockets.

With 34 turbines up, 12 of which are generating electricity, and 80 yet to be erected, the project is 60 percent to 65 percent completed. All should be commissioned and in operation by February 2011, site manager Joe Walter said.

All were to be up and running in 2008. But Suzlon Wind Energy Corp., which was providing the turbines, had problems with breaking blades. The problem has been fixed, but it added 18 to 24 months to the project, he said.

The company contracted with White Construction, and there are 300 craftsmen on site who’ve worked 300,000 hours so far, Walter said. When the project is done, there should be 25 permanent employees.

There’s an environmentalist on site, and there hasn’t been an excessive amount of bat or bird deaths, he said. A study on the impact the project’s had on the golden plover will be done once the farm is built.

When Foster asked about local support for the wind farm, Walter said it was widespread, with the exception of a lawsuit filed June 3 by landowner Larry Gerdes. 

Landowners are paid about $8,300 a year for the use of about 1,600 square feet of their land, Walters told Foster.

Gerdes, president of Friesland Farms, owns four farms within a mile of the developing wind farm. He’s asked the Bureau County Circuit Court to halt its construction. He also actively opposed the 52-turbine Green River Wind Farm project in southeastern Lee County.