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Wind Power News: Iowa
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Massive fire destroys wind turbine in Adair County
A massive fire destroyed a wind turbine and burned a large farm field in Adair County Tuesday morning. The fire burned so hot it destroyed the 22-story tall structure. It consumed the nacelle that holds the generator and one giant blade, which crashed to the ground. Advertisement “It’s crazy, it’s nuts. I can’t believe it. But I can, as dry and windy as it is. But it’s something else,” said Noah Kouri, who lives nearby. The fire eventually spread to . . . Complete story »
Thousands of old wind turbine blades pile up in west Texas
Every year since 1958, the West Texas town of Sweetwater has hosted the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup, which is exactly what it sounds like. Thousands of the venomous ophidians are rooted out of their dens and brought to the Nolan County Coliseum to be gawked at, “milked,” and often beheaded and skinned. It started as a way for the region to rid itself of some of its least-welcome residents. Now community leaders wish they could do the same with several . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine will come down next week
After more than a decade in service, the wind turbine in the northeast corner of campus between the university power plant and CyRide facility will be removed next week. Demolition is slated to conclude by Thursday, Aug. 10. The 160-foot, 100-kilowatt turbine became increasingly unreliable in recent years before it stopped operating last August. Purchase or produce Mark Kruse, director of utility services, said the turbine produced approximately 0.055% of the electricity used on campus, and the revenue it generated . . . Complete story »
Group seeks wind turbine moratorium in Dickinson County
Some residents in a northwest Iowa county are asking local officials to enact a moratorium on wind turbine construction in unincorporated areas of Dickinson County. Kristine Van Kleek lives in a rural area, outside of Milford. She spoke at Tuesday’s meeting of the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors. “We’ve been informed that a wind developer will be submitting their application within the next month and that their application will be evaluated based on the 2009 ordinance,” Van Kleek said. “The . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine ordinance passes second consideration
A proposed update to Webster County’s zoning ordinance that governs the development of wind turbine projects has passed its second reading by the Board of Supervisors and will be reviewed once more before the board takes final action. On Tuesday, during a public hearing on the matter, several area landowners shared their concerns and opposition to the two potential wind farm developments being considered in the northeastern part of the county. Several are completely opposed to any development of wind . . . Complete story »
Supervisors pass moratorium governing future wind turbines
The Taylor County Supervisors, at their regular weekly meeting on Thursday, June 15, passed a moratorium on future wind turbine projects. The moratorium does not apply to wind turbine projects already completed in Taylor County or projects that are already in the planning stages. The moratorium gives the supervisors time to come up with an updated ordinance concerning future wind turbine projects. They plan to have an updated ordinance done by October of 2023. Complete story »
Supervisors pass temporary moratorium on wind turbines
At their June 6 meeting, the Mitchell County Board of Supervisors discussed a temporary moratorium on commercial wind energy system construction. “I’m not comfortable approving something like this until I have a little more research,” said Supervisor Mike Mayer. “Personally I don’t think we need a moratorium for windmills,” said Supervisor Mark Hendrickson. “It sends a bad signal to other companies that may want to come to Mitchell County. I don’t think we need one at this time.” “My point . . . Complete story »
Wind energy development in Tama Co. hits turbulence; Multiple lawsuits embroil Salt Creek developers
Further wind development in Tama County appears to have encountered some headwinds in recent weeks as two different lawsuits involving the wind energy company Salt Creek Wind LLC and its consultants Robert and Eric Bergstrom play out in court. Salt Creek Wind LLC and Conifer Power Co. have been actively developing the current iteration of the Salt Creek Wind project in central Tama County since at least 2019. According to court documents filed in Tama County in late April of . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County Supervisors weigh proposed setbacks for wind farms
Sioux City, Iowa (KCAU) – Woodbury County is a step closer to modifying its wind turbine setback requirements. “So if we want to help these communities grow in Woodbury County, we need to keep the turbines out. Put the five miles out there, I think two miles is too close ” said resident Larry Fillipi, Jr. Fillipi is one of a handful of county residents asking supervisors to modify the setback guideline for commercial wind energy systems as it pertains to . . . Complete story »
Wind farm worries: Wind turbine setback ordinance focus of workshop
Many Webster County residents are unhappy about the prospect of a new wind farm being built in the northern part of the county, and they voiced their concerns and questions to the Webster County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday evening. Some landowners in the northern part of Webster County near Badger and Vincent say they have been approached by MidAmerican Energy Co. recently about a plan to erect new wind turbines in the area. The wind farm project – which . . . Complete story »
