Debate over wind project continues
OTTUMWA — Kevin Holzhauser saw a straight line from the proposed Dusty Fox Wind project to increased salaries for Wapello County employees.
If the potential Dusty Fox Wind project gets off the ground, he believed it could alleviate some of the county's budget concerns.
Holzhauser, a former member of the county compensation board, spoke to the board of supervisors during the non-agenda portion of Tuesday's meeting at the courthouse. None of the supervisors have gone on record as being against the project, which is nearing a deadline for viability, but they are wanting to make sure it's done above board.
"We tried to raise the income of the elected officials to where they should be comparable to (similar-sized) counties, and every year it was the same story of 'We don't have the money,'" Holzhauser said.
"And here we've got Dusty Fox wanting to bring economic development to the county and alleviate some of this tax burden. I think it would be a good thing for the community and the county, and the ones who want to participate in the project. I guess I'd like some kind of assurances that we don't drag Dusty Fox out a year, year and a half, and then find out they don't have a deal here."
The project is strictly voluntary for landowners whether they want to sign a lease to have a turbine put up on their land. A wind-producing project could create millions in additional revenue for the county. However, the project would be scaled back because both Jefferson and Keokuk counties, which were originally part of the project, have essentially backed out by adopting ordinances that are restrictive in terms of locations for turbines.
Corey Eberling, public engagement organizer for Apex Clean Energy, which is in charge of the project, said the company has to "look forward."
"We've having great input from our landowners signing up, but we've been here for over a year and a half now, and I know some hiccups have happened, some problems along the way," Eberling told the board. "But we have to determine if the project is viable."
Part of the hangup with the county is that is must revise its comprehensive plan, which hasn't been done since 1991, before any alternative energies were widely available. Supervisor Brian Morgan, who is in favor of the project but also respects property rights, hopes the county can take a simultaneous two-path approach that would revise the comprehensive plan and create an ordinance.
"We continue to talk to a couple different attorneys to see if there is any possibility of an ordinance being laid out, public hearings and things done even in the process of the comp plan and zoning plans being done," he said. "I'm on both sides of this. I want people in here. I'm absolutely fine listening to people because that's what we're here for."
Eberling said it the plan would be to install the turbines within a year, which he said is typical for a project.
Supervisor Darren Batterson wants the county to avoid what happened in Tama County, where a potential third wind project was scrapped in March and left the county with $89,000 in legal fees over a three-year period since a grassroots coalition challenged the county and the project on multiple levels.
"I have no problem with it, but there is a process," Batterson said. "Everyone needs to be able to voice their concerns. That doesn't mean it's going to change, but people need to be able to speak their mind and put their opinion forward.
"There's people that want them and people that don't," he said. "You just have to have that balance where we could use the money, but not overextend ourselves and open doors."
Asked directly when the deadline would be for the project to not be viable, Ebeling was nuanced.
"It's nearing," he said. "In March, it will have been two years that we've been working with the county."
