September 11, 2019
Iowa

County board votes to continue controversial wind turbine setbacks

Alex Schuman, Investigative Reporter | KCCI | Sep 10, 2019 | www.kcci.com

WINTERSET, Iowa —

A public hearing was held Tuesday in Madison County over proposed setbacks on wind energy projects.

A large group of concerned citizens attended the two-hour meeting.

After hearing public input, a moratorium until October 1, 2020 was approved by commissioners on a 2-1 vote, with the understanding it could be lifted sooner if an ordinance was approved.

The vote means a 1.5-mile setback for the construction of new wind turbines remains in place.

There will be two more readings and votes on the moratorium on September 24 and October 8.

The Madison County Board of Health earlier determined wind turbines could have negative health risks.

In addition to that decision, the board of health recommended that any new turbines be set back a mile and a half from the properties of non-participating homeowners.

The Iowa Environmental Council questions the board of health’s evidence, saying there are no peer-reviewed scientific studies showing wind turbines could be bad for anyone’s health.

A 1.5-mile setback would effectively ban most wind energy projects in the county.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/09/11/county-board-votes-to-continue-controversial-wind-turbine-setbacks/