Prairie Power embarks on 20-turbine wind farm project
Jacksonville-based cooperative Prairie Power says the farm could generate electricity for about 16,000 rural customers.
Construction at a site along the Illinois River about 70 miles west of Springfield would start next year. And electricity production would begin in 2011.
The co-op already operates a coal-fired power plant and natural-gas plant. But this is its first foray into wind energy.
Prairie Power executive Robert Reynolds says the co-op plans to sell clean-energy bonds to finance the project. The bonds include a federal tax credit.
Pike County currently has just one wind turbine, built in 2004.
Related News

Restrict price charged for gas and electricity - British MPs
LONDON - MPs are calling for a cap on the price of gas and electricity amid fears consumers are being ripped off.
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee says the Big Six energy companies have been overcharging for years.
MPs on the committee backed plans for a temporary absolute cap to fix what they called a "broken" energy market.
Labour's Rachel Reeves, who chairs the committee, said: "The energy market is broken. Energy is an essential good and yet millions of customers are ripped off for staying loyal to their energy provider.
"An energy price cap is now necessary and the…