News Bureau of Illinois published an article regarding the problems associated with wind-farm project: "Answers to huge wind-farm problems are blowin' in the wind" -- http://news.illinois.edu/NEWS/08/1215windfarm.html
In December 2008, the wind turbine project on South farms was unilaterally cancelled by the university Chancellor Richard Herman, when he cancelled the purchase of one 1.5 MW wind turbine from GE Wind Energy citing "dismal fiscal condition" of the university.
In December 2008, Facilities and Services published a fact sheet for the wind turbine project.
Daily Illini published an article about wind turbine proposal: "Sustainability Committee struggles to pass wind turbine proposal" -- http://dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/23/sustainability-committee-struggle...
In May 2008, ICECF approved the university's request to build only one wind turbine instead of three because of insufficient funding (based on estimates from GE Wind Energy proposal).
In February 2008, the students leaders in the environment movement wrote letters to the Provost Linda Katehi, Chancellor Robert Herman, and Facilities and Services Administration, Dr. John Dempsey. These letters were signed by the student leaders and expressed their excitement and support to the project.
In December 2007, Electrical Utility Estimate was performed by the engineers of ITG - Henneman Engineering, Inc.
The project proposal was received from GE Wind Energy on September 10th 2007, and opened on September 16th 2007. According to the proposal, the estimate for construction is a range of $11.4 million to $12.6 million and for the total project budget would be $12.1 million to $13.4 million.
Also, GE Wind Energy proposal stated an October 1, 2007 expiration date! This estimate infers that the university's current budget ($5.7 million) is enough to build only one turbine.
GE Wind Energy were the only ones who would quote the University of Illinois. (Vistas said they were not taking orders for anything less than 30 MW, however, the UI project was for only 4.5 MW)
GE could not meet the August 16th deadline and therefore, the university extended the deadline to September 20th. The university received GE's proposal on September 10th. However, GE quoted the turbines to be delivered by late 2009 or early 2010.
We received the final report from EAPC, regarding the proposed wind turbines.
In June 2007, the News-Gazette published the article "UI making concerted effort to conserve energy".
On June 20, 2007, campus released a Request for Proposal for the UIUC south campus wind turbine project.
Midwest Engineering Services, Inc. completed a geotechnical exploration for three proposed wind turbines to determine and evaluate the subsurface conditions and to establish related parameters for use by the design engineers.
The Chancellor at Urbana recommends for approval of a refundable $5-per-semester Sustainable Campus Environment fee, effective fiscal year 2008, based on a student referendum held on March 6 and 7, 2007. This is in addition to the $2 per-semester fee approved in 2003.
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation grant extension:
In December 2006, Facilities and Services held a meeting with College of ACES to negotiate the location of the towers. ACES's approval was required for the FAA submit.
Engineers and Architects PC (EAPC) created a noise map on November 9, 2006.
The UI Board of Trustees approved hiring a North Dakota company, Engineers Architects PC, to develop plans for building three wind turbines on the UI's South Farms. The UI will pay the North Dakota firm, Engineers Architects PC, $87,500 to design the project and prepare construction documents, plus $24,000 in additional fees. Reimbursable expenses are not to exceed $46,000.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Consultation Agency Action Report was received by the university on May 18, 2006.
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF) grant that was filed in September 2005, was approved. On December 1st, 2005, the university received the grant award notification with following main points:
