December 6, 2013
Illinois, Iowa

Quad City Area landowners react to proposed wind energy line

QCA Landowners react to proposed Wind Energy Line | By: Christine Souders | CBS4 WHBF | December 5, 2013 | www.whbf.com

A new wind energy transmission line could impact hundreds of Quad City Area landowners.

Clean Line Energy Partners presented their preferred route in front of more than 300 concerned residents during a meeting Thursday in Davenport.

Electricity produced by wind turbines in Northwest Iowa could be delivered through the Rock Island Clean Line to homes and businesses in Illinois.

The proposed route covers a 500 mile stretch, running through surrounding counties, including Scott, Rock Island, Henry, and Whiteside.

“Our easement will be between 145 and 200 feet wide, and we’re requesting the permission to construct, and develop, and own and operate that transmission line on their property,” said Beth Conley, Iowa Manager for RICL.

Clean Line Energy Partners are currently negotiating compensation with impacted landowners, but some said they aren’t willing to budge.

“They want a 100% compliance, and I will be the one that will not voluntary comply,” said Doug Garner, Iowa Farmer.

“The fact that a private company can come in and use eminent domain to get private farm land is scary,” said Diane Darr, another impacted property owner.

Others at the meeting said they’re concerned about whether it will hurt property values, or harm the environment.

“This will devalue our land, plus they want to cut a 200 foot swath through a half mile of timber,” said Ed Simpson, Illinois Farmer.

“I have children and concern about whether these lines would transmit anything that could potentially harm us now or in the future,” said Jamie Minor, a homeowner.

Clean Line Energy Partners said property values near wind energy lines across the U.S. show no long term effects.

As far as environmental concerns, they said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is conducting reviews throughout the process.

Clean Line Partners said the next step is to get the application ready for Iowa’s Utilities Board.

If approved they want to start construction in 2015.

The company says this transmission line would have a big economic impact on the quad cities area.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/06/quad-city-area-landowners-react-to-proposed-wind-energy-line/