May 18, 2013
Iowa

Buena Vista County not likely choice for $1.9 billion wind farm project

BV County not likely choice for $1.9 billion wind farm project | By Ashley Miller, Special to the Daily Reporter | May 18, 2013 | www.spencerdailyreporter.com

A local wind energy business owner believes MidAmerican Energy Company’s $1.9 billion wind farm investment will bypass Buena Vista County.

“We’re anticipating it going from Highway 20 south to Interstate 80,” Rob Hach, Anemometry Specialists, told the Pilot-Tribune Monday. “It has not been confirmed, but we’ve talked with several different people who have said the project will probably not be close to the area.”

Resource maps pinpoint a gap between Carroll and Atlantic, which Hach says is an ideal spot for harnessing wind power.

However, details at this point are scarce, as the power company continues to hold details “close to the vest.”

“There’s a rumor that they (Mid American) are building their own transmission line to bring everything online,” he explained. “It’s something that has been in the works for a little while, but we haven’t heard that they will be coming north.”

Last week, Gov. Terry Branstad announced the record investment, unveiling

MidAmerican’s plan to add 656 new wind turbines by the end of 2015.

The turbines are anticipated to generate an additional 1,050 megawatts of power while reducing customer rates. By 2017, consumers will receive reductions totaling $10 million, beginning with a $3.3 million reduction in 2015.

Major economic development is also expected as a result of the project, to the tune of $360 million in extra property tax revenues over the next three decades.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/18/buena-vista-county-not-likely-choice-for-1-9-billion-wind-farm-project/