Power It
Benton County, Indiana, is developing environmentally- friendly energy sources including wind and ethanol. We also have the traditional utitlities: electricity, natural gas, water and sewer. No matter how your business runs, we have what you need to power it.
Wind: Orion Energy LLC is developing wind farms to take advantage of Benton County's topography and climate at Fowler Ridge and the Goodland Wind Farm. The Fowler Ridge project will be completed in 2008 and is expected to generate enough power to supply the annual electrical needs of 150,000 homes. Fowler Ridge in western Benton County was chosen for the consistent strong winds over the ridge, access to existing electrical transmission lines, and compatibility with existing agricultural uses of the land.
Ethanol: Ethanol is another renewable energy resource made from locally-grown corn which can be used to augment or replace petroleum-based fuels. Benton County's state-leading corn crops and good rail network make it a natural for ethanol production, and projects are currently being considered. A typical ethanol plant can bring $50 million dollars annually into our economy, dozens of new jobs, and increase the local price for corn 4 to 10 cents per bushel. (photo is of a typical ethanol plant)
Electricity: Northern Indiana Public Service Corporation (NIPSCO) provides electrical service throughout Benton County. This is a large regional utility serving all of northern Indiana. NIPSCO also encourages economic development through various programs.
Natural Gas: Natural gas service is available in the towns of Boswell, Fowler, Otterbein, and Oxford from NIPSCO. For outlying areas, liquified propane (LP) gas is provided by several companies including locally-based Fowler Bottle Gas.
Water/Sewer: The incorporated towns in Benton County provide water service; the larger ones also supply waste treament. In other areas, wells and septic systems are required. The EPA water quality reports for Benton County towns are available online.
| Fowler municipal utilities (765-884-0570, web) | |
| 1,200,000 gpd | water pumping capacity |
| 1,200,000 gpd | water treatment capacity |
| 300,000 gpd | water peak demand |
| 750,000 gpd | waste treatment capacity |
| 400,000 gpd | waste peak demand |
| 200,000 gpd | waste dry weather flow |
| 450,000 gpd | waste wet weather flow |
| Oxford municipal utilities (765-385-2150) | |
| ,000 gpd | water pumping capacity |
| ,000 gpd | water treatment capacity |
| ,000 gpd | water peak demand |
| ,000 gpd | waste treatment capacity |
| ,000 gpd | waste peak demand |
| ,000 gpd | waste dry weather flow |
| ,000 gpd | waste wet weather flow |
| Otterbein municipal utilities (765-583-3430) | |
| ,000 gpd | water pumping capacity |
| ,000 gpd | water treatment capacity |
| ,000 gpd | water peak demand |
| ,000 gpd | waste treatment capacity |
| ,000 gpd | waste peak demand |
| ,000 gpd | waste dry weather flow |
| ,000 gpd | waste wet weather flow |
| Boswell municipal utilities (765-869-5951) | |
| 750,000 gpd | water pumping capacity |
| 150,000 gpd | water peak demand |
| 400,000 gpd | waste treatment capacity |
| 130,000 gpd | waste peak demand |
| 130,000 gpd | waste dry weather flow |
| 325,000 gpd | waste wet weather flow |
| Earl Park municipal utilities (219-474-5062) | |
| 25,000 gpd | avg water pumping capacity |
| 100,000 gpd | water peak demand |
| n/a | septic waste treatment only |
| Ambia municipal utilities (765-869-5636) | |
| ,000 gpd | water pumping capacity |
| ,000 gpd | water treatment capacity |
| ,000 gpd | water peak demand |
| n/a | septic waste treatment only |
(photo credits from top: Orion Energy LLC / LincolnLand Agri-Energy LLC / Pete Ruesch / M. Park Hunter)