Second Reading Held for Wind Ordinances

SIGOURNEY – The Keokuk County Board of Supervisors held a second reading for the new wind turbine ordinances on Sept. 30. These ordinances would require wind turbines be built half a mile away from inhabited structures. A similar setback requirement in Jefferson County forced wind farm company Apex Clean Energy to abandon plans for a wind farm in that county. Supervisor Daryl Wood stated that multiple people had reached out to him over the weekend saying they opposed allowing wind turbines, and that he still had not been contacted by anyone in favor of allowing them. Supervisor Mike Hadley said he had spoken to a few people supporting wind turbines, but that the people opposing were more numerous and more vocal. He said they were more virulent than people wanting setbacks for hog buildings. He stated that he had reservations about affecting how farmers make a living or telling them how to farm, but that a lot of people wanted the setback.

Wood stated that a woman from Poweshiek County he had spoken to had a neighbor install a wind turbine 1,200 feet from her house, leading her to move because she couldn’t stand the noise. He stated that farmers had claimed to him that wind turbines keep cows from breeding, but that he had a hard time believing that.

Jared ​​Hershberger of Apex once again requested the county compromise and set a smaller setback. He claimed that research says that, at a quarter mile setback, wind turbines are only 50 decibels, as loud as a refrigerator. He stated that wind turbines were adamant to Iowa and that his company would work with people who were adamant about not having turbines next to them. He again stated that wind turbines were voluntary and could result in $20,000-$30,000 in income for farmers.

Also at the Monday morning meeting, Wood explained that 10-15 Transit, the service that provides free bus rides for veterans, had created a nonprofit called Drive. This nonprofit will act as a separate entity and fundraise donations for the program.