A minimum three-month moratorium is now in place for consideration of new utility-scale solar or wind energy proposals in Linn County. The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 12 to approve the third and final reading of the moratorium, following readings approved on Oct. 3 and Oct. 5. As approved, the moratorium will expire […]
A minimum three-month moratorium is now in place for consideration of new utility-scale solar or wind energy proposals in Linn County.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 12 to approve the third and final reading of the moratorium, following readings approved on Oct. 3
and Oct. 5.
As approved, the moratorium will expire automatically Dec. 31, but can be extended by resolution by the Board of Supervisors at three-month intervals, up to a year, while county staff work to address recommended improvements in the existing
renewable energy ordinance. The county’s Planning and Zoning Commission had originally recommended a full-year moratorium, but supervisors modified that recommendation to the three-month window with renewal options.
Once staff have addressed concerns about buffers, vegetative seedings, agrivoltaics and battery energy storage systems, the revised ordinance will be returned to supervisors for consideration.
Board of Supervisor chair Ben Rogers said he felt the county’s renewable energy ordinance is good, but as the county’s review of utility-scale solar projects
near Coggon and
near the former Duane Arnold Energy Center showed, several issues arose that can be reviewed to make the ordinance even better.
Specifically, he said the ordinance fails to address battery energy storage storage Systems (BESS), which are a component of the Duane Arnold Solar project.
“There are a few things I think we can do, whether it’s copy and paste from other counties (or other solutions), to make a better ordinance,” Mr. Rogers said. “We do have a pretty solid ordinance with some tweaks that are needed, as we have learned from this process … I think it’s valuable to pause, but we’re not looking for perfection. We really are looking to fill in some gaps.”
Supervisor Stacey Walker said he’s aware of the importance of solar energy projects to Linn County’s future, and referred to the moratorium as a “strategic pause” to improve the county’s review process for future renewable energy proposals.
“Although we are on an ambitious timeline, I think we can get a lot accomplished,” Mr. Walker said.
Supervisor Louie Zumbach, who had voted against approving the Coggon and Duane Arnold solar projects due to concerns expressed by rural residents, also expressed support for the moratorium, but said he felt any ordinance modifications will likely take more than three months. “I know it’s not going to be perfect, but I look forward to an ordinance that far less people are against,” he said.
In previous meetings regarding the moratorium, county planning and development director Charlie Nichols said he felt a “balanced group” of county residents, which is slated to be appointed and begin meeting soon, can make recommendations that would improve the county’s existing renewable energy policies.
“We’ve learned some things from this process, and we know we can make our code better,” Mr. Nichols said. “That’s why we’re requesting this moratorium. And the purpose is to take a look at specific sections of code – for example, setbacks, screening, vegetation – to make sure we are balancing our comprehensive plan goals as best we can.”
Members of the public interested in being considered to serve on the review committees should complete an application available at this link on Linn County’s website:
https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/FormCenter/Planning-Development-6/Renewable-Energy-Review-Committees-148 or call Planning & Development at 892-5130 for a paper application.
