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Washington Evening Journal
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Wind energy draws crowds to Board of Supervisors meeting
Henry County Board of Supervisors listen to public concern as they discuss proposed amendments to renewable energy ordinances
MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors’ meeting overflowed into the first level of the courthouse Tuesday morning as many residents showed interest in discussions of changes to the county’s alternative energy ordinances.
“I'll just say we've never had this many people at our meetings in my 11-plus years serving as supervisor,” Supervisor Greg Moeller said.
Much of the interest from the public came as a result of information about a potential wind farm coming to the northern part of Henry County, though the board did clarify that they had not received any applications for building windmills in the county, yet, and right now, they are only looking at the ordinances.
Despite the county not receiving any applications, for more than a year RWE Renewables has conducted research and held conversations with Henry County about wind energy development in that northern part of the county, and the supervisors have asked citizens to contact them with their opinions.
While many expressed concerns about noise, lights, property values, and the effects on wildlife, Holly Jones, a property and business owner on the border of Henry and Washington County expressed a few concerns about wind energy coming into the area.
“I'm worried for all of my neighbors in Washington County who aren't getting any voice in this when there's some property that's literally right up next to our house that's being considered for this,” Jones said. “So that's one concern that I have. The second is that I'm a business owner and we invite folks onto our property in Washington County as a flower farm. Part of our business model is that we have photographers come and take pictures of our beautiful sunsets. That overlook the landscape that could now be permanently changed.”
“I respect that landowners are consenting to the use of their land,” she said. “But this is a long term change to our home, to our home, to our business, to our families, for generations. And it just breaks my heart that we are being influenced like this as a community by an outside corporation.”
Henry County resident Marilyn Young spoke up in favor of wind energy coming to the area.
“I thoroughly researched this,” she said. “We have a son that lives in the midst of a wind farm for years now in Dowds, Illinois. His school system benefits so much from this and his county.”
Young listed monetary gains for the county as benefit and gave her experience actually visiting a wind farm.
“I drove up to a windmill, got out, stood under it,” she said. “The windmill was going fast. I did not hear this loud sound.”
Young compared the sound of a coal train to the sound of windmill and noted that the trains were significantly louder.
“I researched this company for months and I’m doing that because I know we need coal for energy and I know we need wind for energy,” she said.
Even following Tuesday morning’s meeting, which included an unofficial reading of proposed changes amending some of the county’s alternative energy ordinances, the supervisors still encouraged the public to reach out to them via email or phone call to express these opinions as nothing is set in stone yet.
As citizen concerns continue to rise in connection to the project, contracts seem to as well. Since November new contracts seem to have appeared on a map showing different landowners with contracts related to the prospective wind energy project.
With many there to express their dissatisfaction with the idea of a wind farm coming to their area, the supervisors attempted to remain focused on the proposed amendments to “Alternative Energy Overlay District,” while still allowing space for residents to make comment.
According to Planning and Zoning Commissioner Joe Buffington, the changes are primarily made in the interest of clarity.
“95% of this ordinance already exists, right but there are there are tweaks to this ordinance,” Buffington said. “Most of this is already on the books. We've made a few slight adjustments to the language.”
Buffington pointed out that changes include that noise should not exceed 60 decimals averaged over 15 minutes, the tip of a blade on a windmill may come within 50 feet of the ground instead of 75, companies that wish to start these projects must have “reasonable financial stability,” and some additional bonding language.
The document still is being reviewed and adapted, but a first reading is set for Feb. 15 upon the request of supervisor Marc Lindeen wanting time to learn more about the bonding issue. Both the proposed revision and the original document are available online at the county website.
Additional questions specifically about RWE’s wind energy project can be directed to RWE Wind Development Manager Matthew Spaccapaniccia at Matthew.Spaccapaniccia@rwe.com
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
