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.
‘Cross The Line’: Controversial transmission line in Iowa trying to survive
A case study for the national renewable energy debate is happening right now in northeast Iowa. “I think everybody likes the idea of renewable energy. I certainly do. But there’s more to it than just the wind blows on turbines and makes power,” Mike Deutmeyer said, a dairy farmer in the right of way of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line. The Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line plans to go from the Hickory Creek Substation in rural Dubuque County, to the Cardinal . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine battle continues in Madison County
MADISON COUNTY, Iowa – The battle for wind turbines continues in Madison County. The Arbor Hill project would allow 52 new turbines to be put up, but the Madison County Board of Supervisors added a new ordinance that has delayed the project. “Now, they say it’s one and a half-mile from any house or anything like this. It’s impossible when you come to Madison County,” explained Judy Neal, a Madison County resident. Neal wants a wind turbine on her property. Others . . . Complete story »
Worth County supervisors seek counsel over possible wind ordinance litigation
Concern over potential litigation from Invenergy has prompted the Worth County Board of Supervisors to seek legal advice regarding the next steps over the wind energy ordinance draft. On Monday, July 6, Worth County Attorney Jeff Greve told the board of supervisors to seek advice regarding the wind ordinance draft from law firms with experience dealing with renewable energy companies like Invenergy. “Our county attorney advised us to hire an outside source to look over the draft agreement,” said Worth . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County Supervisors approve wind power ordinance
After three public hearings, this week the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors this week approve a new commercial wind farm ordinance that does not exclude the Loess Hills area. Board member Mark Monson had requested that the Loess Hills be a restricted area and that change was made after the first hearing. That restriction was removed Tuesday night. Several community members said restricting wind farm construction would violate land owner’s rights. Sioux City property owner Tom Bride sits on the . . . Complete story »
State: Company illegally storing hundreds of old wind turbine blades at three Iowa sites
State environmental regulators say an out-of-state firm has illegally stored hundreds of wind turbine blades in three Iowa towns and should be investigated by the attorney general’s office. Global Fiberglass Solutions Inc. has a combined 1,300 turbines at sites in Newton, Atlantic and Ellsworth. Since 2017, the Washington state-based company has said it plans to recycle the blades. It hasn’t. So Wednesday, the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission voted to refer the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ case against Global to . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approves to adopt Commercial Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night approved adoption of the Commercial Wind Energy Conversion System Ordinance. The ordinance passed four to one. The changes maintain the ability for landowners to do what they want with their land, as long as it is allowed by code. It was approved without the Loess Hills language in previous readings of the ordinance. “The Loess Hills language was excluded from this ordinance, from the final reading of this ordinance, which maintains . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County Supervisors approve third reading of wind farm ordinance
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved the final reading of an ordinance that outlines the application approval process and site plan review for wind energy companies in Woodbury County. On Tuesday, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors heard a public hearing of the new ordinances that outline the application approval process and site plan review for wind energy companies., approving the third and final hearing on a 4-1 decision. A major aspect of the ordinance gives protection to the . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County supervisors approve second reading of wind farm ordinance
SIOUX CITY – Woodbury County is one step closer to tighter wind energy restrictions for commercial wind farms. The board of supervisors held a second public hearing Tuesday night on a wind energy ordinance. After the hearing, the board unanimously approved the second reading of the ordinance. Board chair Rocky De Witt said they learn more about the ordinance as the process continues. The current zoning ordinance allows wind energy in agricultural preservation and general industrial zones, said David Gleiser, director . . . Complete story »
1,320 feet, 45 decibels; wind farm development agreement approved
The Crawford County Board of Supervisors on Monday afternoon approved a voluntary development agreement with Scout Clean Energy for the wind farm the company is developing in an area south of Westside. The agreement followed nearly two months of discussions with the company, which has been developing the “Silver Queen” wind farm project since 2016. On April 27, the supervisors enacted a temporary moratorium on the construction of new wind turbine towers; the supervisors are gathering information to determine what . . . Complete story »
Wind ordinance draft presented to Worth County supervisors
On Monday morning, Jeff Gorball, the zoning commission chair of the Worth County Planning and Zoning Commission, presented the Worth County Board of Supervisors with the final draft of its ordinance on wind energy. The planning and zoning commission passed the ordinance draft on Friday night after spending over a month working to put it together. The draft passed through the commission on a unanimous 4-0 vote. When presenting the draft to the board of supervisors, Gorball spent time to . . . Complete story »
