Public hearings set for wind and solar energy ordinances
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The Ringgold County Board of Supervisors set public hearings for a new wind turbine ordinance as well as an ordinance addressing large solar energy systems during their regular meeting on Wednesday, June 28.
The public can review and comment on the proposed ordinances at one of the three hearings at the courthouse scheduled for:
• Monday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, July 24 at 9:00 a.m.
While the county supervisors are giving large utility scale solar energy systems fewer restrictions, commercial scale wind turbines are being capped at 20 total turbines in the initial ordinance.
The purpose of the ordinances is to establish minimum requirements and regulation of siting, construction, operation and decommissioning of commercial energy systems.
Wind Energy
The drafted ordinance would require two applications to be filed prior to any commercial wind energy conversion system (WECS) being constructed. One permit for meteorological towers to collect data used for preliminary studies, and a second permit for the final siting and construction plans of a WECS.
The permitting process provides an opportunity for the Ringgold County engineer and the board of supervisors to review the site plan, specifications, sound studies and other required federal applications prior to construction.
Additionally, the drafted ordinance calls for commercial wind turbines to be set back 2,640 feet (half mile) from property lines, rather than dwellings.
Noting that roadways are considered public right of way rather than property lines, Ringgold County attorney Clint Spurrier advised the supervisors to consider specific language and set back distances for roads as well.
“I think everything needs to be a half mile,” stated supervisor Steve Knapp.
Supervisor Colby Holmes agreed with Knapp remarking that some wind turbines in Adair County seemed too close to the road “If the thing fell over, it would be in the middle of the road.”
After agreeing that wind turbines should be placed a half mile from the center of roadways, the supervisors also discussed specifying a maximum number of turbines allowed in the county.
Supervisor Holmes stated that he had talked with representatives from Adair, Taylor and Union counties recently, and “everyone recommended putting a cap on both wind and solar.”
Although there may only be 5 or 6 possible areas in the county where turbines could exist based on current land ownership, that scenario may change over time.
“I’d go with 20, stated supervisor Knapp.
Supervisor Taylor agreed noting “Yeah, it’s kind of a magic number, but it’s pushing it.” Taylor continued stating “I would feel different if I had talked to somebody who wanted them.”
County attorney Spurrier also reviewed the designated public areas in the drafted ordinance that would have a one mile set back. All nine of the Ringgold County Conservation parks and the Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area are included.
Commercial wind farms also have a one mile set back from city limits in the drafted ordinance.
The decommissioning process for non-operational wind turbines and reversion of ownership was also reviewed in detail. Draft language states that the landowner shall be responsible for payment of the property taxes for wind turbines if they are no longer operating, and the owner/operator is no longer paying property taxes.
Supervisor Holmes stated that he had discussed this process with representatives from other counties and “They hadn’t thought about who would pay the taxes if someone walked away from it,” Holmes noted “They liked that we put that in there.”
Solar Energy
The drafted solar energy ordinance was largely unchanged from the original Taylor County language.
County attorney Spurrier asked the supervisors if they wanted to cap the number of acres used for a commercial solar project.
Supervisor Holmes stated “It’s a totally different deal.”
Unless the public has concerns or other thoughts, the county supervisors plan to cap total developed acres to 400 acres for a utility scale solar energy system (US-SES).
The drafted ordinance also spells out permit application requirements, and defines the setbacks from occupied residences as:
• 1,000 feet from an occupied residence,
• 250 feet from property line for non-participating parcels,
• 75 feet from road right of way for paved roads and 50 feet from road right of way for gravel roads,
• Radius of 150 feet from the center of an intersection,
• 5 miles from public airport property lines.
Setbacks from occupied structures (other than homes) are defined as:
• 300 feet from occupied structures,
• 100 feet from property line for non-participating parcels,
• 75 feet from road right of way for paved roads and 50 feet from road right of way for gravel roads.
The drafted ordinance also provides safety, insurance, ground cover, and certification requirements.
Similar to the wind energy ordinance, the solar ordinance also calls for applicants to enter into a road use agreement and decommissioning agreement to protect county infrastructure and land.
A full copy of the draft ordinances will soon be available at the Ringgold County Auditor’s office and on the Ringgold County website: www.ringgoldcounty.iowa.gov
The supervisors want to preemptively prevent economic development in the county. The lines can go down rights of way, just like water, sewer, or REC lines. No big deal.
What science or logic drives this rush to control people’s property rights?