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.
Gone with the wind? Apex closes up shop in Tama County
After first leasing office space in downtown Dysart roughly a year ago, the Virginia-based company Apex Clean Energy – better known in Tama County by its local commercial wind energy project name, Winding Stair Wind – has elected to close up shop for the time being and set its sights elsewhere. “We are continuing to assess the fluid interconnection situation for our Winding Stair Wind project in Tama County,” Drew Christensen, Director of Public Engagement for Apex, told the North . . . Complete story »
Blade separates from turbine, pausing operations at US wind farm
Wind turbines have been “paused” at the MidAmerican Lundgren wind farm in Iowa after a blade separated from one of the Siemens Gamesa turbines in operation there. A blade detached from a turbine at the site before falling into a field on 11 February, MidAmerican confirmed. MidAmerican Energy, which owns the 250MW project, added that nobody was hurt during the incident and that it had paused “fewer than two dozen” turbines at Lundgren and “other sites” to gather more information. . . . Complete story »
Fremont County citizen’s group files lawsuit against county over wind energy regulations
A local citizen’s group has filed a lawsuit in Iowa District Court against Fremont County regarding alleged mishandlings of regulating wind turbines in the county. According to a press release from the offices of Lawyers Shawn Shearer and Theodore Sporer, a 60-page petition outlining at least 20 separate allegations has been filed into district court in Fremont county to “express frustrations with the county’s Board of Supervisors” and their attempts to regulate wind turbines. According to the release, allegations include . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine catches fire in Williamsburg early Monday morning
A wind turbine caught fire early Monday morning in Williamsburg, leading to a field fire as well. The Williamsburg Fire Department says they were sent to the 1700 block of 230th Street around 12:40 am Monday. When crews arrived on the scene they saw the head of the turbine fully engulfed in flames. WFD says this type of fire is “unique and challenging, as there are many factors to consider including falling debris on fire and the turbine blades and . . . Complete story »
Lawyers representing Page County citizens comment on court petition filed Monday
(Clarinda) – A vague ordinance and a lack of “equal protection” for all those involved in a proposed wind project are but some of major factors leading to a lawsuit against Page County. That’s according to Lawyers Theodore Sporer and Shawn Shearer, who are serving as co-counsel for a group of Page County citizens who filed a pleading Monday in the District Court of Iowa for Page County. The move comes shortly after the county board of supervisors approved a permit . . . Complete story »
Tama Co. Zoning Commission discusses potential changes to wind energy ordinance
TOLEDO – Tama Co. Zoning Commission members Doug Dvorak, Wade Mitchell and Darren Thiessen met on Sept. 12 to discuss the county’s commercial wind energy Ordinance. With only three present members and thus, a lack of a quorum, ideas were exchanged to help get the ball rolling on possible reforms. Dvorak immediately addressed the lack of the Zoning Commissioners in attendance. “(Zoning Director) Todd Apfel had indicated to me that he was advised by an attorney not to come to this . . . Complete story »
Tama Co. Board of Adjustment sued over Salt Creek Wind project
TOLEDO – On Aug. 26, Plaintiff Heather Knebel of rural Traer filed a petition for declaratory judgment against the Tama County Board of Adjustment (BOA) in Tama County District Court. Knebel, a member of the Tama County Against Turbines LLC (TCAT) coalition, seeks a declaration from the Court that Conditional Use Permits issued by the BOA to Salt Creek Wind LLC (Salt Creek), including 10 Limited Scope Conditional Use Permits approved Oct. 21, 2020, and 60 Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) approved . . . Complete story »
Crane accident under investigation
CASS COUNTY – An accident on Thursday involving a crane falling over while on a bridge northwest of Massena was still under investigation Friday, according to Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken. The accident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday when Cumberland Rescue, Massena Rescue and Cass EMS were called to the bridge near the intersection of 756 Street and Pella Road for a report of a crane that had fallen over, according to scanner traffic. The individual was said . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County adopts an ordinance to limit wind energy
The potential for wind energy is now severely limited in Woodbury County. The Woodbury County board of supervisors voted Tuesday to increase the distance necessary between wind turbines and county residents. The setback distance will be increased from 1,250 feet to 2,500 feet – almost entirely eliminating the potential for wind energy in the county. The board of supervisors voted 3 to 2 to adopt the amended ordinance, siding with the almost 900 residents that signed a petition supporting the change. . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County wind farm ordinance updated after vote
A controversial Woodbury County ordinance is now on the books. More than 100 residents packed into the County supervisor’s meeting Tuesday night, awaiting the board’s vote on an update for the current ordinance’s wind farm setback guidelines. Tuesday’s vote followed the third of three public hearings on the ordinance change. Last year, supervisors established a wind farm setback guideline of 1,250 feet from most public property. After complaints, the board proposed a setback of 2,500 feet, and that change got . . . Complete story »
