A batch of glossy mystery mailings landing in Crete-Monee area mailboxes has created a bit of a stir among residents.
The cards advertise and promote the solar farms springing up without naming the company involved – Earthrise Energy – or its projects.
There are several different versions, with slightly varied content. There are no names on any of them to identify who sent them, but all urge residents to contact District 3 Will County Board Member Sherry Newquist, D-Steger, and push for a “yes” vote on the solar fields.
Newquist said last week she had nothing to do with the flyers.
“Earthrise printed those without my knowledge,” she said. “I had no idea until someone I know received one. There are several different versions which were sent out. I was very surprised, especially since the district has two county board reps, and only one of us was listed on the flyer.” (The second representative is Daniel J. Butler, R-Frankfort. District 3 includes Crete, Monee, Steger, Peotone, and Green Garden Township.)
“Regarding the meeting, the Crete solar farm was voted on at the April 16 county board meeting, and it passed. The second project, the Prairie View development, has been sent back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a second Public Hearing. It has not been officially scheduled yet.
“I have not had any direct communications with Earthwise outside of our official meetings, since I sit on Land Use,” she added.
“Legally, this can’t influence my vote. With respect to… the Crete solar farm, I was not at the meeting for the final vote, as I was away on a long-planned vacation. I did vote ‘yes’ in committee, however.
“Most of the comments I received for the Crete project were in favor, and the Village of Crete and the school board supported the project, due to the significant tax revenue it will contribute to the school district.”
The mailings contend that at least one of the solar projects would “deliver $1.2 million per year to the Crete-Monee School District” and “lightens the tax burden on homeowners, not adds to it.”
Dr. Kara Coglianese, superintendent for C-M schools, seemed less convinced, however.
“The district has not had any direct communication with Earthrise Energy regarding the claims mentioned in their advertisements,” she said.
“Generally, property developed outside of a TIF District increases an area’s equalized assessed value (EAV), which can lead to a lower tax rate for residents.
“However, we have no specific agreements or details regarding funding from this organization.”
In addition to spurring school revenues, the flyers promise the solar farms will create 1,000-plus union construction jobs with “family sustaining wages and benefits.”
At the same time, they claim the project would provide “clean solar power for tens-of-thousands of homes (with) lower bills for Will County families.”
Moreover, they pledge “Sustainability: Real clean energy investment. Illinois is a leader in renewables, this keeps us there.
“The county board just has to vote ‘yes’.”
Crete Mayor Mark Wiater had no complaints about the Arlington, Virginia, power producer.
“All of my dealings with Earthrise have been very professional,” he said.
“They have performed as they have said they would with all aspects of the project as it relates to Crete.”
But Green Garden Township Supervisor Dean Christofilos had a different view. Township residents have been battling an immense solar field/data center project encompassing thousands of acres of farm field there.
“I have not heard of any flyers from Earthrise being mailed to Green Garden residents,” Christofilos said.
“It appears Earthrise is aware of the massive opposition to its project from our township. In fact, the closer the industrial-scale solar project gets to becoming a reality, the stronger my disdain for this type of solar development grows.
“Earthrise has shown no respect for our community and seems unconcerned about the excessive damage it will cause to our area, our landscape, and our residents’ quality of life. The Bible is accurate when it says, ‘The love of money is the root of all evil,’ and this situation is a clear example of a company placing profit above people, property, and the long-term well-being of our township.
“Our township is not opposed to all solar development. We simply ask that any solar projects be consistent with the township’s designated areas for such use, rather than being indiscriminately spread across our community without regard for our comprehensive land use plan.”
A spokesman for Earthrise sought to assuage concerns over the mailings.
“Earthrise is aware of the mailings, but we did not send them,” he said. “There are many parties within the community involved in and supportive of this project, and it is likely they were sent by one of those parties. As such, Earthrise never communicated with Sherry Newquist about them.
“We are confident the energy generated by the Pride of the Prairie and Plum Valley projects will benefit the communities served by the PJM grid, which include Crete residents.
“However, we cannot guarantee where or when that electricity will be delivered, as distribution is determined by PJM.
“Under Illinois law,” he said. “Commercial solar projects are assessed and taxed under a standardized framework based on megawatt capacity. As a result, Earthrise’s proposed projects will generate new revenue for local taxing bodies in the areas where they are located, which includes schools and other local organizations. We estimate that Pride of the Prairie will contribute at least $3.5 million in the first year of operations, whereas Plum Valley will contribute $2.3 million in the first year of operations.
“We have seen the mailing, which states the project would result in ‘no new taxes.’ That is different from a claim that the project would lower tax rates.”
Meanwhile, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission scheduled a Public Hearing on the Pride of the Prairie project for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the Renaissance Center, 214 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet.
It will advance to the Will County Board’s Executive Committee meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet.
The full Will County Board is scheduled to take a final vote on the project at its meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Will County Office Building.