This week, the House Commerce Committee passed House File 2580 to set siting guidelines for renewable electric power generation in Iowa.
This bill in no way prevents local governments from imposing additional siting requirements beyond the bill or even maintaining a moratorium on wind, solar, or battery storage in their community. The bill simply states that if a local government would like to have different standards or a moratorium in place by 2028, the local authority must do the following two things:
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Hold a public hearing explaining the local authority’s reasons for the moratorium or standards different than the statewide guidelines and explain how they are necessary to prevent an adverse impact on the health or safety of their residents or public facilities.
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Notify property taxpayers of lost revenue to the county based on the local moratorium/standards.
This bill also clearly states that eminent domain is not allowed for solar, wind, or battery storage projects in Iowa.
This bill strikes an important balance between local control and providing guidance to county supervisors, as well as ensuring Iowa is an all-of-the-above energy state and that landowners can determine the best way to use their land.
This bill is baloney ! Why aren’t the wind companies forced to hold public informational meetings before they solicit landowner easements? And why aren’t the wind companies forced to hold public informational meetings justifying why they get all the tax breaks that local residents don’t get ?