A southwest Iowa county’s moratorium on wind turbine project development will remain in place through at least the rest of the year. The county’s original moratorium was set to expire July 1st and the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors have unanimously approved a 180-day extension. Supervisor Mark Peterson of Stanton read the resolution aloud during Tuesday’s board meeting.

The moratorium does not apply to construction permits already filed with the county. Diane Jacobs, who lives near Villisca, urged the board to act to avoid the kind of turmoil about turbines she sees in neighboring counties.

The moratorium does not apply to wind turbine construction permits already filed with the county. A report issued earlier this year by a national group that promotes energy with lower greenhouse gas emissions found 16 Iowa counties have established regulations for where wind turbines may be built. Seven counties have ordinances that prohibit wind turbine development. Nine other counties have moratoriums that are temporary — like Montgomery County’s.