November 26, 2015
Iowa

Fayette County could put a stop to any new wind energy projects

By Brea Love, KCRG-TV9 | November 25, 2015 | www.kcrg.com

FAYETTE COUNTY – Wind energy company Optimum Renewables recently requested a special use permit to put up wind turbines within the county limits.

That request sparked a discussion among residents and county leaders.

“In light of the recent issues with the wind turbines going up in Fayette County, the supervisors have decided to put a moratorium in place which will stop any activity regarding commercial wind energy systems in Fayette County for six months,” Fayette County Zoning Administrator Catherine Miller said. “Which will then give the supervisors the opportunity to create a committee which will review commercial wind energy ordinances.”

Miller said this committee will be made up of county citizens who will look into the regulations the county has in place, and other the county can put in place.

“I’m under the assumption that after that six months they will have another ordinance that will then get adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission and by the Supervisors on behalf of the county,” Miller said. “Then we’ll have specific rules related to commercial wind energy systems in Fayette County.”

This revision sparks from concerns citizens voiced in the past.

“We’ve heard environmental reasons, we’ve heard effects on property values, we’ve heard health effects, we’ve heard effects on livestock, wildlife, the aesthetics of whether looking at them is appealing or not appealing,” Miller said.

Residents will be able to voice their opinions during the public comment section of the next supervisors meeting.

The first reading of this issue will be held at the meeting on November 30.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/11/26/fayette-county-could-put-a-stop-to-any-new-wind-energy-projects/