February 3, 2022
Iowa

Wind farm proposal for western Iowa is now getting plenty of attention

By Paul Gutierrez | FOX42KPTM | Wednesday, February 2nd 2022 | fox42kptm.com

From the backyard of her home, Charity Duey has a beautiful view of a picturesque landscape. She wants to keep it that way.

“It’s a wonderful place to raise your children.”

It’s possible the land near Duey’s property could get transformed. Mid-American Energy is looking into a wind farm that would cover Mills and Pottawattamie Counties.

If the go-ahead is eventually given, more than 100 wind turbines would become part of the deal. On Tuesday, a formal proposal was made in front of the Building and Zoning Departments in Mills County.

“Just because it sounds good on paper doesn’t mean it’s going to improve your quality of life.”

She’s concerned this will eventually affect the ability of farmers to get their jobs done. Between that and concerns about what it might be like to live next to these turbines, she’s strongly opposed to the idea of a full wind farm.

“When you put that even a half mile away from someone that doesn’t want one it’s enormous.”

Iowa has nearly 6,000 turbines across the state. Mid-American Energy spokesperson Geoff Greenwood says the company delivers about 90 percent of its energy through renewable sources. They want to get to 100 percent.

“This is nothing new to the state of Iowa.”

Greenwood says the wind farm would help that 100 percent goal cross the finish line.

“Iowa is known as a wind energy leader. Companies come to Iowa just because of the renewable energy we provide.”

If the project is approved, height restrictions would have to change from 80 feet to well above 200 feet. That’s another concern Duey has about a wind farm.

“We’ve seen where as these turbines are moving it causes a shadow on your house. That makes it look like your lights are being turned on and off constantly inside.”

As of right now, nothing is set in stone and information is still being gathered. Mid-American Energy says it’s hoping the wind turbines will be up and running in 2024. It expects those would provide energy for about 40 years. The majority of Iowa’s electricity is generated through wind power.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2022/02/03/wind-farm-proposal-for-western-iowa-is-now-getting-plenty-of-attention/