Central Indiana county approves wind farm, with limits TIPTON, Ind. (AP) — A central Indiana county has given the go-ahead to a proposed $300 million wind farm, while also approving restrictions that address concerns about the project’s impact on property values.
The Tipton County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a conditional use permit March 20 for juwi Wind’s plans for up to 94 wind turbines capable of generating up to 150 megawatts of power, The Kokomo Tribune reported. The approval means the company can move forward as long as it guarantees it won’t diminish property values and that the turbines are built at least 1,500 feet from property lines.
Company officials have 30 days to appeal the permit. The only U.S. county that has a guaranteed property value provision for wind farm placement is DeKalb County, Ill., west of Chicago. The energy company would provide the difference between the sale price and the appraised value if a property owner couldn’t sell his or her home for the appraised value.
Biodiesel tech training available free in Indiana INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Diesel technicians interested in learning more about biodiesel and its performance in engines are invited to attend a free one-day course at one of six locations across Indiana. Training dates and locations include:
•April 10 – Cummins, 2725 West 450 South, Columbus •April 11 – Allen County Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne •June 19 – Toyota Visitor Center, 4000 S. Tulip Tree Drive, Princeton •June 20 – Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), 5730 W. 74th Street, Indianapolis •Aug. 21 – South Shore Clean Cities, 9800 Connecticut Drive, Merrillville •Aug. 22 – ISA, 5730 W. 74th Street, Indianapolis
The ISA is sponsoring the training sessions to encourage those working in the diesel mechanics field to get a better understanding of biodiesel, its performance and the benefits to using the renewable fuel that can be made from soybeans.
This course is taught by an instructor through the National Biodiesel Board and has been approved by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation to qualify as an ASE Certified Training Provider of Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE). Participants can earn 0.7 CASE CEU by attending. The one-day sessions are from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. with continental breakfast and lunch provided. For more information and to register, visit www.indianasoybean.com/ mechanicsRSVP or call 317-644-0980.
Vilsack signs agreement at Iowa DuPont facility JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Iowa Friday to sign a new agreement with DuPont that sets standards for how cornstalks and other plant residue is collected from farmland for use in new cellulosic ethanol plants.
DuPont is building a $200 million plant in Nevada, Iowa, that will use corn residue to make ethanol. A certain amount should be left on cornfields to replenish nutrients and control erosion. Under the memorandum of understanding signed Friday, the USDA and DuPont will work with farmers to determine how to best feed the growing cellulosic industry and maintain soil quality.
DuPont’s plant is scheduled to begin production next year. The company is working with 500 farmers to collect more than 375,000 tons of corn waste annually to feed the plant. |
