December 20, 2018
Iowa

Kossuth supervisors approve wind farm application

By Andrew Shaw | Buffalo Center Tribune | 12/19/2018 | thebuffalocentertribune.com

A new 200 MW wind farm can go forward in Kossuth and Winnebago Counties, as the Kossuth County Supervisors gave their approval for the project last week. The supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday, Dec. 11 to approve a permit application for the Golden Plains Wind Farm, submitted by EDF Renewable Developments.

EDF plans to build about 60 wind turbines in Kossuth County, located in Hebron, Lincoln, and German Townships; along with about 30 wind turbines in Winnebago County, located in Lincoln, Buffalo, Eden and King Townships. The Winnebago County Supervisors previously approved a permit for the project on October 9.

Kossuth County Zoning Administrator Doug Miller said everything in the application meets the county’s wind farm ordinance, including the siting standards for all the turbines and the collection system. He said EDF paid a $70,000 application fee, which covered the County’s costs for things like mailings and legal publications for meetings. Not all supervisors were on board with the project, as Don Besch cast the lone vote in opposition.

He said EDF had already started major construction by moving a large amount of dirt at a site in Hebron Township. He said the only construction that was supposed to be done before approval of the project application was for meteorological towers and access roads, and he feels EDF isn’t following the County’s ordinance.

For the full story, see this week’s Buffalo Center Tribune.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/12/20/kossuth-supervisors-approve-wind-farm-application/