Hey folks, it’s been quite a journey for Floyd County, and it looks like we’re about to embark on an exciting adventure in renewable energy. In case you missed it, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors is all set to make some major updates to the County’s ordinance regarding wind turbine farms. So, let’s dive into what’s been going on!
1. Wind Farm Winds of Change:
The Meeting that Sparked It All
So, back in August, the Supervisors held a meeting where they had some heavy hitters in the wind energy game, NextEra and Invenergy, lay out their plans. The scoop is that they want to put up around 170 wind turbines in our beautiful county, spreading from Rudd and Floyd down towards Marble Rock and Rockford. That’s some serious wind power action right there.
During their latest regular meeting on November 6th, our Supervisor Chair, Mark Kuhn, gave a little nod to these presentations. He made it clear that the info from those meetings played a major role in advancing the wind ordinance update. Looks like we’ve got a lot of wind to catch!
2. Calling in the Reinforcements:
NIACOG Joins the Party
So, to get this wind ordinance revamp going, the Board had a little pow-wow and decided they needed some expert help. They’ve roped in the North Iowa Area Council of Governments (NIACOG) to lend a hand and work closely with the County’s Planning and Zoning Commission. It’s kind of like assembling the dream team for a wind farm ordinance makeover.
Now, you might be wondering, how long is this whole shebang going to take? Well, NIACOG’s John Robbins spilled the beans and said that it could take somewhere between three to six months to complete the process. So, we’ve got a little bit of a wait ahead of us, but it’s all for a good cause – to make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
3. To Moratorium or Not to Moratorium? That is the Question
In the meantime, there’s a group of concerned landowners who’ve raised their voices and asked the Supervisors to slap a moratorium on any new wind turbine development projects. Now, hold your horses, because it’s not as simple as a yes or no. Our County Attorney, Todd Prichard, chimed in and said the Board does have the authority to put a moratorium in place. However, they’re flexible enough to tweak it if necessary. It’s all about keeping the balance and making sure everyone’s on board with the changes.
So, there you have it, folks – Floyd County is gearing up for a big leap into the world of wind energy. It’s a journey that’s bound to bring some changes and challenges, but it’s all about keeping the environment in mind and embracing clean, renewable energy sources. We’ll keep you updated as this story unfolds, and who knows, in a few months, those wind turbines might just be spinning away, bringing us a breath of fresh, clean air and a brighter, greener future!
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