Clark County Board Hears Proposals for 10,000-Acre Wind Farm, Community Solar Projects

Spread the love

Clark County Board Meeting | February 20, 2026

Article Summary: The Clark County Board received comprehensive updates on the county’s expanding renewable energy landscape, highlighted by a proposal from Repsol Renewables for a massive 10,000-acre wind farm project southeast of Martinsville.

Clark County Board Key Points:

  • Repsol Renewables is exploring the installation of 40 wind turbines southeast of Martinsville.

  • The developer intends to install a testing tower to measure wind speeds before beginning full-scale construction.

  • A community solar project by Pure Sky near Marshall is slated to submit its Special Use Permit in March, with construction potentially starting by mid-to-late summer.

  • Renewable energy representative Andrew Keyt is working on ordinance changes before a public hearing is scheduled for a separate Green Key solar project at Bass Lake.

The Clark County Board on Friday, February 20, 2026, held extensive discussions regarding the future of renewable energy in the region, hearing a pitch for a 40-turbine wind farm and receiving updates on two separate community solar initiatives.

During the new business portion of the meeting, Christopher Cooper, a project developer with Repsol Renewables, informed the board of a potential wind project planned along Angling Road, southeast of Martinsville. Cooper explained that Repsol, which originally started in the oil and gas industry, has expanded into the renewable energy sector in recent years.

The developer’s current goal is to secure leases for approximately 10,000 acres of land. According to the board minutes, the vast acreage would accommodate 40 wind turbines while still allowing the remaining land to be actively farmed. Repsol has already signed leases with several local landowners.

Before any construction begins, Repsol plans to install a preliminary tower to test wind speeds in the designated area. Cooper also assured the board that a formal study would be submitted to U.S. Wildlife Services to evaluate the project’s potential impact on bird migration and mating seasons.

The board also discussed ongoing developments regarding community solar installations. Don Solarz, a resident at Bass Lake, addressed the board during public comments to inquire about a pending public hearing for a community solar project with Green Key.

Chairman Rex Goble responded that Andrew Keyt, who represents Clark County on renewable ordinances, was finalizing necessary ordinance changes before scheduling the hearing. Goble noted that citizens would be notified via the county website and a public service announcement on the local radio station.

Later in the meeting, Chairman Goble provided an update on a separate solar project led by Pure Sky. The development is planned for the edge of Marshall, south of Sycamore Street. According to Goble, Pure Sky plans to submit its Special Use Permit in March, with an estimated construction start date targeted for mid-to-late summer.

Following the updates, Board Member Susan Guinnip asked if the board needed to be the “squeaky wheel” with state legislators regarding potential upcoming bills that could impact local renewable energy regulations.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order

Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners have run out of options in a case challenging...
Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon

Artemis II mission breaks records Monday as astronauts observe far side of the moon

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The astronauts of the Artemis II NASA mission made history just before 2 p.m. Eastern Monday when they traveled farther in their Orion spacecraft from...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a...
Federal-state showdown looms over regulation of prediction markets

Federal-state showdown looms over regulation of prediction markets

By Brett Rowland and Jon StyfThe Center Square The federal government is telling states to back off attempts to regulate prediction markets after several states took legal action to block...
No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group together

No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group together

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A diverse group of supporters are pushing to restrict no-knock search warrants in Illinois, but many law...
Trump promises 'complete demolition' in Iran as deadline looms

Trump promises ‘complete demolition’ in Iran as deadline looms

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump promised "complete demolition" of Iran on Tuesday if the nation's leaders do not agree to a deal to reduce nuclear weapons development...
‘We leave no American behind’: President Trump details Easter rescue of downed airman

‘We leave no American behind’: President Trump details Easter rescue of downed airman

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The successful Easter rescue of the downed F-15 airman who went missing in Iran was “one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing” combat search...
Michigan charges dentist in alleged 'massive' Medicaid fraud scheme

Michigan charges dentist in alleged ‘massive’ Medicaid fraud scheme

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel continues pursuing fraud cases across the state, announcing charges against a Macomb County dentist in what prosecutors described as a...
Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access

Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer says a controversial proposal to change how police records...
Signature process begins to ban large data centers in Ohio

Signature process begins to ban large data centers in Ohio

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Sponsors of a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban the construction of any new large data centers in Ohio have cleared another hurdle in getting...
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear veteran's benefits challenge

U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear veteran’s benefits challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear an Army veteran's challenge over reduced disability benefits. The court agreed to hear Johnson v. United...
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Illinois public transport gun ban

Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Illinois public transport gun ban

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to decide whether individuals can carry firearms on public transportation. The court declined to take up Schoenthal v....
Illinois Quick Hits: Report says Pekin Bowling Center 'taxed out of business'

Illinois Quick Hits: Report says Pekin Bowling Center ‘taxed out of business’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Sunset Lanes in Pekin is set to close later this month as the bowling center’s owner says it is being “taxed...
Tiffany vows to end subsidies for data centers in Wisconsin

Tiffany vows to end subsidies for data centers in Wisconsin

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Wisconsin congressman and candidate for governor Tom Tiffany said that he will “end subsidies for data centers in Wisconsin” if he becomes governor. Tiffany was...
Firefighter age bill stalled despite union backing

Firefighter age bill stalled despite union backing

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed Illinois bill aimed at addressing firefighter shortages by lowering the minimum hiring age has...