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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Supervisors approve wind energy moratorium
Wind energy discussions slow, but prospective project continues
MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors’ approval of a moratorium on commercial wind energy rezoning does not make an immediate impact on the prospective wind energy project being pursued by RWE Renewables.
On Tuesday, April 2, the Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to establish a temporary moratorium on the rezoning of land to the Alternative Energy Overlay District for commercial use until March 2, 2025, unless the supervisors decided to extend it or terminate it early.
According to the resolution, the intention behind the moratorium is to give the Planning and Zoning Commission more time to examine the current ordinance, work on updating the county’s comprehensive plan, and gather any additional information needed.
As the supervisors unanimously voted to approve the resolution, multiple citizens that have spoken publicly against a wind energy farm entering Henry County thanked the supervisors for their “wise consideration” and slowing down the process.
While the moratorium will slow down the process of the county making changes to the ordinance, RWE Renewables Development Outreach Manager Julie Drennen says it does not impact their prospective wind project in Henry County.
“The agency-prescribed studies and due diligence involved in developing a wind farm can take five years or more to conclude, and this wind farm still is in the early stages of development,” Drennen said. “We appreciate that the Henry County supervisors are being thorough and comprehensive in their review of the wind ordinance, and we look forward to working with them to ensure they have up-to-date and peer-reviewed research on wind farm siting.”
To submit additional comments, the supervisors encourage citizens reach out to the board via email at supervisors@henrycountyiowa.us Emails received by the supervisors will be passed along to the Planning and Zoning Director and commission for consideration as they move forward with amending the current alternative energy ordinances for the county.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
