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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Turbine ‘graveyard’ removal underway near Ellsworth
Workers are in the process of cutting hundreds of discarded wind turbine blades into pieces and hauling them from their highly visible piles along U.S. Interstate 35 near Ellsworth. “They’re progressing, as they say, and that’s all that we care about,” said Rick Young, a Hamilton County supervisor who lives near the blade stacks that have sat idle most of this year. “Obviously, it was distressing to a lot of people.” Most of the blades were formerly used by MidAmerican . . . Complete story »
Company plans to grind wind turbine blades near Earlham
A Bondurant company plans to use large wood chippers to grind old wind turbine blades into bits to recycle them, but its work site near Earlham has drawn scorn and pushback from anti-turbine residents in Madison County. Renewablade has tested the grinding process on three blades at a site near U.S. Interstate Highway 80 about two miles northeast of Earlham, where another company uses the chippers to make mulch from trees. “It was successful, absolutely,” said Brian Meng, manager of . . . Complete story »
Worth County taking steps towards finalizing ordinance on wind energy
The Worth County Board of Supervisors met Monday morning to review changes made to the proposed ordinance on wind energy. The proposed ordinance was put together by the Worth County Planning and Zoning Commission and presented to the supervisors in June, but there has been minimal action on the ordinance since. On Monday, however, the supervisors began to review the proposed changes to the original ordinance, along with comments from the commission at the meeting. There were many proposed changes . . . Complete story »
Newton plant makes layoffs official. Hundreds will be out of work by the end of the year.
A Des Moines Register investigation in 2017 found hundreds of cases of skin injuries at the plant. The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration sued TPI for fire hazards, airborne contaminants, faulty record-keeping, falling hazards and a lack of adequate protective gear for workers. TPI settled the case for $100,000 while admitting no wrongdoing. Complete story »
Winnebago County supervisors study Invenergy proposed wind project issues
Winnebago County supervisors continue to do their homework and due diligence when it comes to the Worthwhile Wind Project of Invenergy proposed for Worth and Winnebago Counties. It is in Norway Township where residents have raised concerns in Winnebago County, which is slated for far fewer turbines than Worth County. Worth County Zoning Commission Chair Jeff Gorball met with supervisors on Oct. 5 to discuss how Worth County has addressed zoning on the proposed wind turbines. He said a prior . . . Complete story »
Worthwhile Wind development agreement stalls
On Monday morning, the Worth County Board of Supervisors met to take action on the Worthwhile Wind development agreement. Worthwhile Wind is a wind farm proposed in Worth and Winnebago counties by Invenergy. Invenergy claims that the project would harvest enough energy to power 60,000 American homes and would inject $2.5 million into the Worth County community every year through new revenues and landowner payments. Invenergy representative Mark Crowl spent time prior to the supervisors taking action on the development . . . Complete story »
Worth board wrangles with wind generator setbacks
A nearly full board room heard from wind energy companies and the fellow residents over a development agreement which is being pushed through the Board. The agreement calls for wind generators to be constructed at a minimum distance of 2000 feet from a home or business. Supervisor Enos Loberg who represents the 3rd District has allegedly been getting calls and complaints about wind mills being constructed or operated close to residential properties. Residents are complaining about noise from the propellers . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine blade maker TPI Composites may suspend work at Newton factory
As executives negotiate a contract renewal with General Electric Co., wind turbine blade maker TPI Composites Inc. warned this week that 770 employees may soon be out of work. Plant General Manager Josh Syhlman said the company does not have any business lined up for next year. He blamed the heightened cost of raw materials, as well as Congress’ debate about future tax credits for wind energy providers, which could motivate companies to slow down on building turbines. “We are . . . Complete story »
Date set for vote on Worthwhile Wind development agreement
After months of discussion, the future of the Worthwhile Wind project could be decided in the coming days. On Monday morning, the Worth County Board of Supervisors met to discuss Invenergy’s Worthwhile Wind project, as well as the proposed ordinance on wind energy drafted partially in response to the project. Invenergy representative Mark Crowl spoke to the supervisors on behalf of the proposed development agreement, while Worth County Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Jeff Gorball spoke on behalf of the . . . Complete story »
Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear appeal from former regulator accused of bias in power line case
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether a former regulator’s relationships with utility executives created a conflict of interest that could scuttle a controversial power line to be built across southwest Wisconsin. In a split decision Tuesday, the high court agreed to hear Mike Huebsch’s challenge to subpoenas from power line opponents who sought to question him and inspect his phone for encrypted communications. The Driftless Area Land Conservancy and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation – along with Dane County and . . . Complete story »
