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.
Regulators approve $255 million wind farm for Alliant Energy
Wisconsin regulators gave Alliant Energy approval Thursday to build a 150-megawatt wind farm in northern Iowa that the utility says will help meet its renewable energy goals while saving customers money. With a cost of about $255 million, the Kossuth Wind Project is expected to save ratepayers about $81 million over its 30-year lifespan. Alliant estimates the Kossuth wind farm will produce about 616,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year, enough to power about 70,000 average Wisconsin households. The project is . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines in Hancock County receive upgrades in 2019
CRYSTAL LAKE | A 100-turbine wind energy center in Hancock County is getting an upgrade. That’s what a NextEra Energy Resources, LLC representative told the Hancock County Board of Supervisors Monday, Dec. 10, during its weekly meeting. “These upgrades will be good for Hancock County and the Crystal Lake community,” said Conlan Kennedy, a NextEra Energy Resources spokesman. “It means we’ll generate more renewable energy over an extended period, which also extends the period we’ll generate payments to landowners and . . . Complete story »
Kossuth County holds wind farm hearing ahead of decision
The Kossuth County supervisors were set to make a decision this Tuesday on whether to approve a new wind farm in the Lakota area. The supervisors held a public hearing last Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Kossuth County Courthouse to give residents a chance to provide input on the Golden Plains Wind Farm, which EDF Renewable Energy wants to build in Kossuth and Winnebago Counties. EDF previously got approval in Winnebago County to put up about 30 wind turbines across . . . Complete story »
Supervisors discuss wind energy ordinance
The pursuit of a wind energy ordinance was discussed by the Union County Board of Supervisors, county residents and representatives from MidAmerican Energy Company and Invenergy during the boards’ regularly scheduled meeting Monday. A wind energy ordinance could include information such as setbacks from residential properties of participating residents and non-participating residents, recreational areas, among others, and the decommissioning of wind turbines, safety provisions and waivers. Not all counties in Iowa have ordinances. “I’d like to just be able to . . . Complete story »
Worth Co. Board of Supervisors approves first reading of renewable energy property ordinance
NORTHWOOD, Iowa – After nearly two hours of public comment, the Worth County Board of Supervisors gave initial approval for an ordinance that would remove zoning restrictions and regulations from future renewable energy projects. It’s a move that many people living in the county say they disagree with. “We’re kind of considered the wild west of the wind turbine country, and I think that’s why there’s been so many of them put up everywhere around worth county.” Julie Kuntz lives . . . Complete story »
Kossuth supervisors hear wind farm concerns
Kossuth County residents had a chance to voice concerns about a new wind farm proposed in the Lakota area during an informational meeting last Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Eagle Center. The Kossuth County Supervisors hosted the meeting along with Zoning Administrator Doug Miller, as they were joined by representatives from EDF Renewables and Alliant Energy. EDF is the company working to build the new Golden Plains Wind Farm, and Alliant Energy would operate the farm following its completion. EDF . . . Complete story »
Neighbors in eastern Iowa fight to bring down turbines — and win
FAIRBANK, Ia. – Developers who invested $11 million to install three wind turbines in eastern Iowa are tearing them down, after losing a legal battle waged by nearby residents. It’s only the second time nationally a judge has ordered wind turbines to be torn down and a first in Iowa. “It’s great. We love it,” said Cheyney Hershey, whose young family lives near the turbines. “You can’t sit outside on the deck and have a conversation without the constant thumping of . . . Complete story »
OSHA investigating construction worker’s death at St. Ansgar wind farm
ST. ANSGAR | OSHA is investigating the death of a construction worker at a wind farm under construction in Mitchell County. Mitchell County Sheriff Greg Beaver said the fatal accident occurred about 1 p.m. Saturday while the worker was loading heavy equipment at Turtle Creek Wind Farm, which is under construction near St. Ansgar. Dave Berthelsen, president of White Construction, identified the construction worker as Joseph Hill of Minnesota. He would not give Hill’s age or provide where Hill lived . . . Complete story »
Fairbank wind farm dealt legal blow
WATERLOO – Owners of wind energy turbines east of Fairbank have lost another round in their battle to keep the structures up. A three-judge panel of the Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an appeal filed by attorneys for Mason Wind, Dante Wind 6, Galileo Wind 1 and Venus Wind 4, which are under a Fayette County District Court order to remove three turbines by Dec. 9. Justices Brent Appel, Thomas Waterman and Edward Mansfield confirmed a July 11 decision by . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines disappear; Fairbank neighbors cheer
FAIRBANK – Joyce Kerns noticed a familiar sound when the large industrial wind turbine built near her backyard was shut down in July. “It was so nice to hear the birds chirping again,” she said. Kerns and many of her neighbors are celebrating this week as a group of wind energy companies are in the process of dismantling three 450-foot towers built in 2015 just east of the Fairbank city limits. “I’m thrilled,” Kerns said. “The constant whoosh, whoosh, whoosh sound . . . Complete story »
