Approximately fifty farmers and property owners from northwards Benton County are considering to bring a 300 megawatts wind farm onto their twelve thousand acres. The idea is spearheaded by dairy and chicken farmer Mark Chamberlin, who has been looking at the possibility for over 5 years. Wind levels are substantial in northwards Benton County, similar to those near wind farms in southwest Missouri.
Initially, the proposals are looking at 125 wind turbines in the north part of the county, generating up to three hundred megawatts of electricity. The idea is to sell the electricity to a supplier.
In terms of impact to their land, they are well aware that wind farms change the landscape of their county, but importantly other then this it has a very little impact on the environment or wildlife. Financially it can have a significant impact. In other parts of the county, farmers who made their land available for a Wind Turbine benefited by an average $1,000 monthly! However, potential gains will have to be assessed first to get precise figures.
A final decision is expected soon, with the next meeting scheduled early this month.
