(Ida Grove)– The debate over wind turbines is heating up in yet another northwest Iowa county. MidAmerican Energy wants to expand its Ida County wind turbine project. The company proposed eight to 16 additional turbines to the existing 200 turbines throughout the county.
MidAmerican will need more landowners to consent to having turbines built on their property. However, many residents are opposed to additional structures due to concerns about safety. The company argues the expansion will help Iowa’s growing energy needs.
As we reported previously, a proposed 2-year moratorium on any new turbines and other renewable energy projects being developed in Dickinson county was defeated earlier this week by the Board of Supervisors on a 2-2 tie vote, with one supervisor abstaining. The moratorium would NOT have impacted the Red Rock Wind Energy project. The county’s Board of Adjustment in late April voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for 67 turbines in eastern Dickinson county.
