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Supervisors finally approve changes to Henry County Wind Ordinance
After a year of debate, stricter rules reflect community input while moratorium remains in place
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors has approved a major overhaul to its Alternative Energy Overlay ordinance, concluding months of intense public scrutiny and back-and-forth policymaking over wind energy development in the county.
The revised ordinance — approved on June 26 in a 2-1 vote — adds sweeping restrictions for wind energy systems, including extensive setback requirements and strict financial obligations meant to address concerns from residents about health, safety, land use, and long-term accountability.
“My feelings are that the community had a great deal of input, and I think it supported a great deal of their concerns and efforts, which is our job and function,” said Supervisor Steve Detrick, who voted in favor of the changes alongside Supervisor Chad White.
White emphasized that the new rules reflect growing skepticism about the long-term viability and impact of industrial wind projects.
“Wind is not what is best for Henry County at this time,” White said. “There’s starting to be a lot of information floating around concerning battery energy storage systems.”
Supervisor Marc Lindeen, who cast the only dissenting vote, said the new requirements could discourage business growth in the area.
“I voted against it,” he said. “It gives the impression that we’re not willing to make changes in our county.”
Lindeen noted that his position was not rooted in opposition or support of wind energy itself, but in the precedent such regulations might set for future development. Specifically, he questioned the escrow and decommissioning mandates required under the new ordinance.
The ordinance now requires developers to establish a $5 million general escrow account within five days of project approval, and a separate decommissioning escrow account valued at 200% of the total estimated cost to dismantle the wind installation and restore the land.
These estimates must be conducted by licensed engineers, verified by a third party, and updated every two years. On-site construction cannot begin until the escrow is fully funded.
The ordinance also outlines conditions for when a turbine is considered abandoned — defined as 90 consecutive days of inactivity — and includes enforcement measures such as daily fines and county-led removal using escrow funds if a developer fails to comply.
In addition to financial provisions, the ordinance sets strict land use limitations, including minimum distances between turbines and property lines, cities, structures, and public infrastructure. Certain setbacks are waivable with written agreement, but others — such as a two-mile buffer from city limits — are not.
Additional rules govern turbine height, operational noise levels, shadow flicker, and other environmental and aesthetic impacts raised by residents throughout the process.
Discussion of these issues began formally in November 2023, when the board first asked the public for feedback on wind energy. Since then, the issue has drawn widespread attention, with community members regularly packing board meetings and offering testimony.
Debate over the ordinance’s contents led to several delays, including the rejection of early proposals by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Though the new ordinance is now in effect, Henry County’s moratorium on new wind and solar energy projects remains in place. Originally enacted in April 2024, the moratorium has been extended to give the board time to finalize regulations for solar energy systems.
“The moratorium is extended with the wind energy,” Detrick said. “So that’s a dual-purpose moratorium at this point.”
According to both Detrick and White, the next step will be reviewing and potentially amending the solar portion of the ordinance. That process is expected to begin in the coming months, with a similar emphasis on public involvement.
The full text of the revised ordinance, which includes all rules governing wind energy systems in Henry County — including turbine height, noise restrictions, decommissioning requirements, and more — is available online through the Henry County government website.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
