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.
Wind moratorium request draws attention of Apex Clean Energy
TOLEDO – What had been shaping up to be a routine discussion item for the Tama County Board of Supervisors every week – the continuing request by a local coalition for a moratorium on wind energy projects – was anything but this past Monday in Toledo when a representative from the company behind the latest proposal popped up in the audience. In response to a question posed to the supervisors by a member of the public in regards to who owns . . . Complete story »
Group opposed to proposed northern Iowa wind farm
A group in northern Iowa is raising concerns about a proposed wind farm. The Lost Island Wind Project would place 40 to 50 wind turbines in parts of northern and western Palo Alto County. Stephanie Parsons, a member of the “Don’t Lose Lost Island” group, says there are wetlands and a wildlife preserve in the area. “They’re proposing to place these towers directly in the flight path of already endangered birds and threatened bat species,” she says. The wind farm . . . Complete story »
Supervisors receive wind turbine application
The Delaware County Board of Supervisors received an application to repower the Elk Wind Farm at its May 2 meeting. Justin Fike and Kelli Orton, with Elk Wind Energy, LLC, presented the application for the 17-turbine wind farm located between Edgewood and Greeley. “The application is largely what we have discussed the last couple times we have been out here,” Fike said. At a meeting with supervisors in March, Fike said the existing foundations and towers will be reused, with . . . Complete story »
Wind energy moratorium request enters round two
It was round two this past Monday morning during the standing-room only Tama County Board of Supervisors meeting in Toledo for members of the coalition group Tama County Against Turbines as they again asked the supervisors to enact a moratorium on any new wind energy projects in the county as well as on any future phases of existing projects. Currently, Tama County has three wind energy projects in various phases of development, construction or production including Apex Clean Energy’s Winding . . . Complete story »
Concern for Tama County Eagles amid wind energy expansion
TOLEDO – Dotted across the rural Iowa landscape – built in gnarly cottonwoods situated along creeks that cut through farm fields – active bald eagle nests are often a well-kept secret among the local farmers and rural residents who wish for nothing more than their nation’s symbol to be left alone. Once on the brink of extinction in the 1960s due to the prevalence of the pesticide DDT in the environment, today’s bald eagle populations – including Iowa’s – are robust . . . Complete story »
Iowa regulators deny requests to halt construction of controversial power line
Iowa utility regulators say work can continue on a power line between Dubuque and Middleton despite a court order blocking the Mississippi River crossing. The Iowa Utilities Board on Tuesday denied petitions by power line opponents who sought to halt construction of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek project in light of a federal judge’s ruling that it could not cross the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Opponents argued that without the crossing the line cannot fulfill its purpose of . . . Complete story »
Group in Tama County working to stop wind turbine project
A group called Tama County Against Turbines met Tuesday night to mobilize against a wind turbine project planned for the area. The project is being proposed by Apex Clean Energy. Jon Winkelpleck is chairman of the recently formed group. He led a presentation that included a number of arguments against the project. He said signing a land easement was to lose your rights as a landowner. We asked if he had been offered an easement. He said, “several times. And . . . Complete story »
Tama County Against Turbines public meeting, forum set for April 19 in Dysart
Tama County residents interested in learning more about the impact of wind turbines in the wake of a proposed industrial wind turbine project in Tama County are invited to attend a public meeting and forum, Tuesday, April 19, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Union Middle School auditorium at 505 West Street in Dysart. Originally planned for the Dysart Community Building, interest in the April 19 citizen-led session has already been so strong, that event organizers moved it to the . . . Complete story »
Lawsuit could redefine utilities board’s role in wind energy expansion
In a case that could redefine the powers of the Iowa Utilities Board and shape the expansion of wind energy in Iowa, MidAmerican Energy is asking a judge to review the regulator’s authority to oversee the general business practices of utility companies. At issue is the conflict that occurs when wind turbines are installed on farmland with the permission of the property owner but against the wishes of the tenant farmer. If the board prevails in the case, it could . . . Complete story »
Earth, wind and fire
A wind turbine north of Alta erupted in flames Tuesday night around 8:30 p.m. Jeff Peterson, who farms the land on which it stands, saw burning debris fall from the top of the turbine and called 911. Rain had fallen during the day, lessening the danger of the fire spreading. Alta Fire Department responded to the scene. “Usually, lightning hits them and they blow up,” said Peterson. “I think this was a mechanical failure.” Complete story »
