In 2013, E.ON Climate & Renewables, a subsidiary of a privately-owned Germany company, began pursuing industrial wind development in Clinton County after our neighbors in Tipton County and Howard County halted their proposed projects. The first four families to sign leases with E.ON in Clinton County were Tipton County residents who owned land in Clinton County.
Since then, after numerous public meetings and polls, our community has overwhelmingly voiced opposition to any wind project. Furthermore, 6 out of the 7 surrounding counties have said no to industrial wind development altogether, including 3 of the fastest-growing counties in Indiana. However, the issue has not gone away, and at least one elected official who has signed agreements with wind companies continues to directly participate in wind-related issues which are tied to the person’s employment and/or function as an elected public servant.
Until recently, the issue had remained quiet, but a financial study conducted in early 2019 and presented to our County Council featured financial projections for Clinton County should we approve a wind project. How these numbers were derived is both troubling and unknown, as the county has been under a wind moratorium since 2017. E.ON’s website for its proposed project states: “The proposed wind energy project from E.ON represents the best option to avoid deficits and higher taxes.” Best option for whom: the company or the residents of Clinton County? Their website also states “All revenue and other projections based on best-available information.” Again, what information was presented to the financial-consulting company in order for it to produce the financial study? Finally, if a wind project was the only alternative source of revenue included in the study, based on figures and estimates unavailable to the public, then yes, of course, it was the “best option” by default.
Recently, E.ON began its latest push based on this financial study, and they have described Clinton County’s financial situation as “grim” and “dire,” with “looming fiscal issues.” Despite this pessimistic rhetoric, our elected officials have somehow managed to keep Clinton County operating without industrial wind money since 1830. In the last year alone, our elected officials have somehow managed to build a new EMS building, to repave large stretches of roadway, and to have recently donated $50,000 towards a new drug rehabilitation facility, all without sacrificing the peace and tranquility of their constituents. Also, the county has recently been relieved of the financial burden of running a hospital, which opens even more room in the budget moving forward.
In an effort to further push the issue, E.ON is set to host an Open House on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. The company has promised free food and prizes, and it will have several of the same experts present who have previously testified on its behalf. This same company touts that it “works with the community” and that it “works hard to become part of the communities that host its projects,” yet Tuesday, September 10, a representative from E.ON who was scheduled to be on the WILO Partyline broadcast, failed to appear, even after multiple confirmations. Not only did the representative fail to appear in person, but he apparently couldn’t even call into the previously scheduled broadcast. Does this sound like a company we should bind ourselves to for 30+ years?
With only 111 days left in 2019, it is clear that E.ON is desperately trying to get a project approved before the federal subsidies, specifically the Production Tax Credit (PTC), phases out completely. According to their website, “the clock is ticking,” and we need to act now.” Despite these fear tactics, our commissioners Clinton County Commissioner Joshua Uitts, Scott Shoemaker, and Steve Woods have continued to make our community a better place without sacrificing the health and well-being of their constituents, and we as a community won’t be bullied or rushed into a project for the benefit of a company that couldn’t even take the time to call into a radio broadcast to promote its own event.