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Emmet County revising proposed wind energy ordinance

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The chairman of the Emmet County Board of Supervisors says there will be revisions in a proposed ordinance to restrict where wind turbines may be placed. The board held a public hearing Thursday night on the initial proposal from Emmet County’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Tim Busch, director of the Aviation Program at Iowa Lakes Community College, says he’s not opposed to wind turbines, but he asked the board to be cautious about allowing towers in areas that could impede take offs and landings.

Eight other speakers expressed concerns about the ordinance and three people spoke in favor of wind energy. Todd Glasnapp, chairman of the Emmet County Board of Supervisors, says requiring greater distances between wind turbines and homes and other dwellings is likely to be the biggest adjustment in the ordinance.

Last week, the board approved a moratorium on any new wind energy applications in Emmet County until January 31st, 2025 — to give the supervisors time to update the county’s wind ordinance.