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Your recent articles entitled, “County to take legal action” (Oct. 14) and “Details released on road dispute” (Oct. 16) omitted a few pertinent details. On Sept. 18, Iberdrola Renewables, on behalf of the Providence Heights Wind, LLC (Providence Heights), was compelled to file a lawsuit against Bureau County over the county’s decision to breach the agreement which governs road repair. Among other things, the county refused to allow road repairs on Wyanet-Walnut and Kentville Roads. The decision to sue was made with great regret, but efforts to settle the dispute amicably, both before and after the lawsuit, were unsuccessful. We are disappointed that resources that could be used to fix the roads will instead be used to litigate the matter.

Under a roads agreement signed with the county in 2006, Providence Heights was obligated to fix damage to the roads caused by construction activities. Last fall, Providence Heights spent $300,000 fixing the roads and preparing them for final road work. Since July, a local contractor we hired has been waiting to completely repair the roads, but the county ordered the contractor not to proceed. We have been ready to complete this work, but the county refuses to let us. With the onset of winter, it is unlikely anything will be completed this year.

We are frustrated because the roads are not repaired.  Our operation’s employees use the roads daily, both to perform their jobs and to commute home. It should be noted that repairs under similar agreements have almost been completed in both Indiantown and Milo townships this year. Drive through the wind farm area, and you can see the results. 

If the county had allowed us to proceed as provided by the agreement, instead of making increasingly unreasonable demands, the county roads would be fixed by now.

Dirk E. Andreas, vice president of Midwest development, Iberdrola Renewables

Palatine