Supervisors ask for wind energy opinions

MT. PLEASANT — For more than a year, RWE Renewables has conducted research and held conversations in Henry County about wind energy development in the northern part of the county.

Since their initial appearance in the county in September of 2022, close to 60 landowners have already signed some sort of contracts with this company to allow for wind turbines on their properties.

Following that initial meeting, RWE put up towers in the northern-third of the county for a wind study over the summer. The study still is currently underway.

As the Henry County Board of Supervisors met with the county Director of Planning Joe Buffington last week to discuss ordinances in the case of allowing wind energy into the area, they urged the public to reach out with their opinions.

Buffington brought before the supervisors proposed changes to the current county ordinance 6-2-11-2, “Alternative Energy Overlay District,” last Tuesday.

As the three supervisors and Buffington went over a very first rough draft of proposed changes, Supervisors Marc Lindeen specifically asked to look further into bond issues as they continue in the process.

“I’m just questioning and do want to make sure we do keep that in mind,” he told Buffington.

Another topic the supervisors anticipated may need additional consideration was waste disposal. What might that include, who would establish those guidelines, and who would enforce those guidelines?

The supervisors felt the public would likely have significant input in consideration of lights and sound from the wind turbines among many other topics relating to adding these large structures to the county.

County Auditor Shelly Barber, however, stated she wasn’t certain many residents even realize that RWE is considering putting wind turbines in the county.

“Unless you’re directly contacted by the county, I don’t think it is on a lot of people’s radar,” Supervisor Chad White said. “ … Unless you’re being approached by the company, there just isn’t a lot of information about it.”

“A lot of them don’t even have any idea it is going on,” Barber said.

While RWE still is in their research phase of determining if the Northern portion of land in Henry County is even suitable for wind energy, Henry County Supervisors want the public to weigh in.

“I think it would be an excellent idea for the public, if they have questions or concerns, to voice them, to share them,” White said.

Residents can look up the current ordinance online, speak to Buffington about the proposed changes, reach out to the Board of Supervisors with concerns or contact RWE for additional information.

The RWE Wind Development Manager in contact with Henry County supervisors Matthew Spaccapaniccia can be reached at Matthew.Spaccapaniccia@rwe.com

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com