SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A local state senator said she wants to lower property taxes by having wind and solar energy companies pay their fair share. Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) told WAND News that tax formulas for energy projects are not keeping up with the industry's growth.

Turner wants to increase the real property cost basis used to assess wind and solar systems, which determines how the properties are taxed.

The base value for wind projects is currently set at $360,000 per megawatt of capacity and solar systems pay $218,000. Her bill would raise the tax to $588,000 for wind and $446,000 for solar.

"Remember, all along they're getting subsidies from the state and federal government," Turner said. "So we're giving them that, plus we're giving them a discounted rate, if you wil

See Full Page