Washington Co. wind ordinance to get public hearing next week

WASHINGTON — Washington County supervisors will hold a public hearing to discuss development limits on wind turbines next week, despite already approving a functional ban on the generators in September.

Officials said the previously approved law couldn’t go on the books, since a handful of wording changes were made after its public hearing. The adjustments were largely inconsequential, including clarifications about financial responsibilities in dispute settlement procedures, a reworded clause replacing the term “acceptable third party” with “mutually agreed-upon third party” when dealing with property value disagreements, heightened requirements for developers’ insurance before building turbines, and a handful of grammatical fixes.

Still, county higher-ups said the alterations rendered the version of the code approved in September moot.

“We kind of agreed it would be best just to start the process over again, to make sure there were no T’s left uncrossed or I’s that weren’t dotted,” County Auditor Dan Widmer said. “Just to ensure we took all the necessary steps and did everything correctly.”

The invalid ordinance was never formally put on the books since it wasn’t published in local newspapers, a requirement for such laws to take effect.

The upcoming public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse Monday, Nov. 18. Supervisors chose the time citing some critics who argued they had little chance to give input ahead of the September vote, since the ordinance was mostly discussed at regular supervisor meetings on Tuesday mornings.

Not all decision-makers were convinced the hearing would draw comments, but all five voted in favor of the move for an evening hearing, where constituents are free to show up and make comments.

“Nobody’s probably going to show anyway,” said Supervisor Stan Stoops. “But at least we will have offered.”

The proposed ordinance back in the spotlight would not technically ban commercial wind energy production in Washington County, but it would enact several restrictions that drove prospective turbine developers away when passed in other counties.

Those restrictions include an order for turbines to remain at least half a mile away from any occupied structures, unless those buildings’ owners sign a waiver, and a requirement for turbine owners to pay for drops in property value on nearby real estate if a qualified professional attributes the price change to generators on the skyline.

Its now-revoked passage in September led developer Deriva Energy to abandon its plans for a massive 200 MW wind farm in the north-central section of the county between Washington and Kalona. Representatives said the limits added too much uncertainty to justify investment they argued could lower local energy prices, generate tax revenue and create jobs.

“We know that there are going to be challenges getting everybody to participate no matter what we propose, and no matter how responsibly we develop and work with the neighbors,” said Deriva Director of Renewable Business Development Jeff Neves at a supervisor meeting in March. “So if we know that this type of setback is the requirement, we’re just not going to be able to develop the project. And no other group would be able to do that either.”

While some advocates argued that wind turbines offered stable revenue for area farmers, most locals to speak at supervisors meetings said they opposed the generators, arguing they would spark neighborly disputes and claiming turbines were net worse for the environment than other energy sources due to their hard-to-dispose of construction materials and the risk of leaking lubricant.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com