Catch the Wind: Learn about Evanston's Investigation of Wind Farms

The CGE Renewable Energy Task Force initiated a preliminary study for a wind farm 7-9 miles off the Evanston/Lake Michigan shoreline. The Proposed Evanston Off-shore Wind Farm FAQ prepared by the Task Force starting in 2008 addresses questions about wind farms in general and the Evanston project in particular. The FAQ document is an ongoing effort, periodically updated. It is the repository of current information. In this study you can find:

Analysis on the US Wind Energy Market

Why the Evanston/Lake Michigan shoreline may be a prime location for a wind farm.

Wind Farm construction phases.

Some of the cost and benefits: environmental, social, and economic.

Questions regarding the view from the shore, audible operation, size of the turbine, sailing and fishing concerns.

Project Timeline

February 2008 - The Renewable Energy Task Force was formed

Fall 2008 - ECAP passed by the Evanston City Council with the first version of the Offshore Wind Farm project included.

April 2010 - The Evanston City Council passed unanimously the Offshore Wind Farm Request For Information (RFI) Article in The Wall Street Journal - Wind Farms Catch a Gust on the Great Lakes.

April 2010 - The Evanston City Council passed unanimously the Offshore Wind Farm RFI

July 2010 - CGE organized a Wind Farm Presentation and forum to share facts and answer questions relative to the proposal. About 100 local residents, business owners, energy professionals and students attended the event. This presentation is on video and may be seen on the Youtube CGE Channel, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhZJAm0bxRc

September 2010 - Wind Farm Survey among Illinois residents

September 13, 2010 - Citizens Utility Board (CUB - Illinois) published the results of a survey of Illinois residents regarding the proposal of a wind farm on Lake Michigan. 2,140 people were interviewed by phone or email. Click here for survey results.
Click here to read the entire article on CUB news,
Click here to read the article in Evanston Now

Winter 2011 - The City of Evanston will create an Ad Hoc Committee to gather information related to the Wind Farm proposal. The ad hoc committee will consist of at least two members from CGE, two from the Evanston Environmental Board and two from the City of Evanston staff.

March 2011 - The Mayor's Wind Farm Committee was formed with the purpose to review and evaluate the two responses to the City's Wind RFI and provide comments to the City Council within 90 days'.

August 2011 - Governor Quinn signs into law House Bill 1558, a bill introduced to the Illinois House and Senate by members of CGE's Renewable Energy Task Force. The bill authorizes the formation of the Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Energy Advisory Council.

Fall 2011 - The State of Illinois' Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Energy Advisory Council begins work, with several members of CGE serving as committee members.

Click here for the latest updates