Harvesting the Wind to Power an Economic Boon to Shelby and Christian Counties

Linea is developing an approximately 200-megawatt (MW) wind project in Shelby and Christian Counties, Illinois. Once operational, the Foxglove Wind project would generate enough electricity to power more than 65,000 Illinois homes annually.

Why Shelby and Christian Counties?

Linea Energy has identified the area within Shelby and Christian Counties as suitable for wind development because of its proximity to the existing transmission system with available capacity, a compatible wind resource, site suitability with existing land use, and minimal anticipated environmental impacts.

To read some of the most frequently asked questions about the Foxglove Wind project, click here

Long-Term Benefits to Shelby and Christian Counties

Wind power pumps billions of dollars into the country’s economy every year, particularly in rural areas where wind projects are located. The Foxglove Wind project represents a capital investment of $500 million, which will result in significant economic benefits for the area.

250 jobs during peak construction, as well as 4 long-term, local jobs during operations  

$100 million in property tax revenues over 35 years to fund schools and other critical services within Shelby and Christian.

Increasing business activity among local hotels, motels, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and more

Enhancing local economic impact by sourcing Illinois-based equipment, materials, and labor when feasible during development, construction, and operations

Developing long-term partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community members

Linea Energy is Committed to Siting the Foxglove Wind project Responsibly and Safely

Below are the ways in which we will minimize potential environmental impacts of the project.

Wildlife

Work with state and federal agencies and stakeholders to ensure that potential environmental impacts are fully considered, minimized, and mitigated, including wildlife-friendly fencing, native grass, and pollinator habitat.

Visual

Conduct a visual impact assessment to analyze the project’s visibility from various key observation points ensuring the project is in strict compliance with Shelby and Christian County’s wind ordinance requirements

Closure

Implement a decommissioning plan and financial securities that will guarantee responsible decommissioning and restoration of the land at the end of the Project’s life

Energy Security

Generate local clean energy that strengthens the grid through resource diversity and low-cost power

Dual Land Use: Pasture & Panels

Solar grazing, the practice of using flocks of sheep to manage vegetation under and around solar panels, is being deployed across solar projects as a sustainable alternative to mowing and chemical herbicides. Grazing sheep can also help restore and improve soil help and carbon sequestration.

Find out more about the benefits of solar grazing through the American Solar Grazing Association website or the documentary, Pastures and Panels: The Power of Solar Grazing.

Dearborn County Solar
Permitting Process

Here’s a breakdown of the County’s solar permitting ordinance:

  • How do wind turbines work?
    When the wind blows past a wind turbine, its blades capture the wind’s energy and rotate, turning the wind’s kinetic energy into mechanical energy. Inside the wind turbine, this rotation turns an internal shaft connected to a gearbox, which then spins a generator that produces electricity. The wind turbine will rotate to face the strongest wind and will angle its blades to best capture the wind energy.
  • The ordinance is specifically designed for permitting solar projects and does not include battery energy storage use
  • A Conditional Use Permit for the project must be obtained prior to construction
  • All solar projects shall comply with all national, state, and local safety-related codes and permit requirements
  • Minimum setbacks and visual buffer requirements are designed to mitigate sound and visual impacts
  • In addition to the commitments made to the landowners, the ordinance requires strict compliance with decommissioning standards to ensure project infrastructure is safely and adequately removed and the ground restored at the end of the project’s life
  • The project must put financial assurance in place to cover the full cost of removal and site restoration
  • All costs to permit and regulate the solar project are borne by the project’s owner
  • The project is required to carry liability insurance to protect the County

About Linea Energy

Linea Energy is an independent power producer and renewable energy company that develops, owns, and operates domestic energy projects at scale, bringing a unique approach to development and commercialization. By leveraging efficient and innovative development practices, we are changing the status quo of how local energy projects are deployed.

Linea Energy is backed by EnCap Investments, a leading provider of growth capital to the independent sector of the US energy industry since its founding in 1988. EnCap Investments’ support gives us strategic insight and patient capital to build, own, and operate our portfolio of assets.