The Whiteside County portion of a proposed wind farm near Deer Grove won approval Tuesday from the county board, while the Ogle County Board okayed a special-use permit for a wind farm near Baileyville.
Subject to conditions, Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power can build seven turbines in far southeastern Whiteside County. The board also approved two others, but officials said those need to get the nod from the Deer Grove village board.
The turbines will have to be a half mile from a prairie owned by resident Greg Wahl, CEO Wahl Clipper Corp.
The county will hire a consultant to guard the interests of the county, Hahnaman Township and residents, and Mainstream will pay the fee.
The company is seeking additional approvals in southwestern Lee County and northern Bureau County.
In Ogle County, the board granted a special-use permit to allow installation of underground cables for the Baileyville Wind Farm in Maryland Township.
The cables will connect to wind turbines once they are built.
The county board approved the original special-use for the Baileyville Wind Farm in Maryland and Leaf River Townships in December of 2005. No turbines have yet been erected.
The wind towers are to be 400 feet tall and each built on a 16-foot concrete base.