Wind Power News: Iowa
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Idling trains block access to Iowa neighborhood for hours at a time
In the past, train cars have parked there while loading and unloading grain at General Mills and the co-op. But now trains sometimes park for hours while workers load and unload wind blades and turbine components onto rail cars. “We’ve been here 40 years. We raised our two children here," Rita Brasel said. "Grain elevator train cars used to block off Army Post Road, but we’d just go around to the south. But with the windmill parts …” Complete story »
Wind farming ordinance up for public hearing
The Union County Board of Supervisors continued to discuss the proposed ordinance for wind farms in Union County at its regular meeting Monday. Union County Attorney Tim Kenyon presented the proposal for a public hearing, outlining the board’s reasoning for the ordinance and its desire to establish “fair and reasonable limitations” on wind energy farming in order to provide opportunity for economic growth while protecting the interests of county residents. The proposal includes setbacks of 1,500 feet from non-participating land . . . Complete story »
Alliant Energy’s senior vice president addresses concerns about increased rate proposal
Alliant Energy’s senior vice president is addressing concerns raised by customers about a notice sent out about a proposed rate hike. The company’s senior vice president Terry Kouba tells CBS2/Fox28 News the chart on the notice that shows the impact of the 25% base rate does not show the offset from other savings. “For the residential customers, the typical monthly bill will go up approximately $8 this year and $12 next year. That includes everything, including all the savings we’re . . . Complete story »
Iowa Supreme Court to hear oral arguments for Palo Alto County companion cases
On Tuesday, April 2, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Forest City, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Boman Fine Arts Center, 225 John K. Hanson Drive. The oral arguments are open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. The court will hear arguments in two companion cases. Companion cases are cases that involve the same or similar parties, common material facts, and related questions of law. Resolution of these cases is a . . . Complete story »
Developer proposes building a 350-mile underground transmission line to take wind from rural Iowa to Chicago
A development company wants to build a 349-mile underground transmission line that will take renewable energy from wind-rich rural Iowa to high-demand eastern U.S. cities. Direct Connect Development Co. said Monday it wants to build an 2,100-megawatt, high-voltage transmission line that would run underground from Mason City to the Chicago area along existing railroad lines, primarily the Canadian Pacific. Direct Connect Development says it’s the first time the technology in the project, called SOO Green, will be used in the . . . Complete story »
Plans unveiled for 349-mile renewable power line through northern Iowa
MASON CITY – A development firm has announced its plans to construct a 349-mile underground power line to move renewable energy generated in rural Iowa to Chicago and eastern cities. Direct Connect Development Co. on Monday announced the SOO Green Renewable Rail project, which would build a high-voltage direct current line along existing railroads from Mason City to Plano, Ill. The proposed route cuts across Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Chickasaw, Winneshiek, Allamakee and Clayton counties in Iowa and runs through Charles City, . . . Complete story »
‘Extension cord’ to carry green power From Midwest to East
Two European firms are backing an ambitious $2.5 billion project to carry renewable electricity underground through the American heartland. Siemens AG is joining with a Danish investment fund to build and operate a 349-mile-long, electrical-transmission line that would carry wind and solar energy from Iowa into the Chicago area, according to the project’s developer. The link would allow renewable energy from the Upper Midwest to travel all the way into the eastern U.S. by hooking up to the PJM Interconnection, . . . Complete story »
Petition filed to block Alliant’s proposed rate increase
OTTUMWA, Iowa – Thousands of Iowans have signed a petition to block Alliant Energy’s proposed rate increase. | Last week, the company filed proposals with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), requesting a 24 percent increase to the base rate for electric customers, and a 25 percent increase for gas customers. Ottumwa Alliant customer Erin Cowles is one of many against this proposal. “Utilities are already hard on families,” Cowles said in a Facebook post Thursday. “No one can afford this.” But . . . Complete story »
Phase 2 of Audubon wind farm in planning stages
AUDUBON COUNTY – While officials with NextEra Energy wrap up phase 1 of the Heartland Divide wind farm project – a 100 megawatt project including 43 turbines – near Audubon, work is just getting started on phase 2. Mike Weich, Project Director Development, with NextEra Energy Resources, said Heartland Divide 2 would be the second phase in the project, and work was just getting started. “(We’re) in the early stages of developing that project,” he said, noting representatives would be . . . Complete story »
Hidden dangers of wind towers
On Jan. 12, after a big snow, I was feeding my 83 feeder calves as I’ve done every day since weaned them in October. I was also sorting out a few as I planned to sell the majority the next week. It was in the late afternoon and the sun was shining on the snow. All of a sudden the calves stampeded out of the feed lot, hitting the gate, breaking off the corner posts and flattening another fence. By . . . Complete story »
