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.
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 »
With Woodbury County Board approval, setback distance for wind turbines will increase
SIOUX CITY – More than 100 people attended the final reading of a Woodbury County ordinance revision to increase wind turbine setbacks. For three weeks in a row, many Woodbury County residents attended the Board of Supervisors meeting to speak in favor of changing the current commercial wind ordinance setback distances for residences from 1,250 feet to 2,500 feet. Some of those who spoke want larger setback distances, or completely ban commercial turbines. The supervisors approved the third and final . . . Complete story »
De Witt listens to residents on wind turbines
Thank you Woodbury County Supervisor Rocky De Witt for seeking a larger property setback for possible MidAmerican wind turbines in Woodbury County. Thank you for not only taking the time to listen to Woodbury County residents with their concerns over the project. but actually following through and sharing those concerns with the big energy representatives. You are truly committed to serving the people and it shows. I also agree that no one wants to stare at 100 red blinking lights . . . Complete story »
Some landowners continue to ask county for larger setbacks for wind turbines
SIOUX CITY – Opponents and supporters of a potential new residence setback distance for commercial wind farms packed the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors meeting for the second week in a row. The supervisors approved the second reading of an amendment for the commercial wind energy ordinance in a 3-to-2 vote Tuesday. The ordinance revision would increase the distance between wind turbines and residents from the current 1,250 feet to 2,500 feet. Matthew Ung, Rocky De Witt and Jeremy Taylor voted . . . Complete story »
Supervisors prohibit new applications for wind energy permits for another 180 days
Over the span of the next six months, Page County will not be accepting any new wind energy permit applications. During its meeting Aug. 10, the Page County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 in favor of extending the existing moratorium on Commercial Wind Energy Conversion System (C-WECS) construction permits by 180 days. The initial moratorium was established by a 2-1 vote of the board March 29. Supervisor Chuck Morris cast the opposing vote to the original resolution that temporarily prohibited . . . Complete story »
Woodbury Co. residents voice concern over proposed amendment to wind turbine placement
Dozens of Woodbury County residents continued to express opposition to wind turbine projects in the county on Tuesday, Aug. 16th. Those citizens addressed the Woodbury Co. Board of Supervisors, as the group considered an amendment to the county’s ordinance on wind projects which would double the amount of space required to separate them from properties where people live. It would only apply to commercial wind projects in unincorporated areas of Woodbury County. This was the second reading for that change, . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County Supervisors hear arguments from advocates and opponents of wind turbine setback distances
SIOUX CITY – Dozens of wind turbine opponents, and a much smaller number of wind turbine advocates, packed the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday evening for a discussion of the county’s commercial wind farm setback distances. The supervisors are considering amending a wind energy ordinance that would increase the distance between wind turbines and residences in the county, from the current 1,250 feet to a potential 2,500 feet. Supervisor Rocky De Witt originally proposed the 2,500-foot setback after residents . . . Complete story »
Woodbury County residents push to limit wind farms in the county
A proposed ordinance could eliminate the potential for wind energy in Woodbury County. The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to move forward with an ordinance that would severely limit where wind farms can be constructed within the county. The proposed amendment would require wind turbines to be built at least 2,500 feet from county residents. Last year, the board voted to have a setback distance of 1,250 feet. But, a MidAmerican Energy plan to build upwards of 90 . . . Complete story »
