MidAmerican responds to Page County solar concerns

(Clarinda) — MidAmerican Energy officials are attempting to address questions from Page County officials and residents regarding a proposed solar energy project.

Kelsey Ballard, MidAmerican’s director of project development, updated the county’s board of supervisors Tuesday afternoon on the company’s proposed Nodaway Valley Solar Project. MidAmerican proposed to build the nearly 50-megawatt project on 400 acres of land near Clarinda. Ballard also reiterated the company’s willingness to enter into a project development agreement with the county, in order to give it a voice in the project.

“We’ve heard, and are listening, before tonight and tonight, interest in decommissioning—what does that look like?” said Ballard. “Interest in road use—what roads can we use, and how can we use them, and how do we repair them? We’ve heard interest in drainage. And, we’ve certainly heard that the county wants to have a voice in this project. These are all tenants of development agreements.”

One question addressed by Ballard concerned whether any waivers have been signed in connection with the project. Ballard’s answer was no. Ballard talked about ambiguities in the county’s existing solar ordinance that must be addressed before the project moves forward. She also pointed to the project’s economic benefits, through not only its construction but also tens of thousands of dollars in revenues generated for the county through a replacement tax placed on the project. Ballard says MidAmerican wants to communicate and collaborate with the county.

“I believe we’ve come to the board of supervisors after filing for the generating certificate,” she said. “We’ve held the voluntary informational meeting. I’m here tonight because communication is important. We haven’t stopped communicating at any point in this process, I don’t think, and I want to continue that. I want to find goals that are similar. I want to find a way to move forward.”

Supervisor Todd Maher repeated comments at earlier meetings alleging MidAmerican was attempting to skirt county solar regulations by seeking a certificate application through the Iowa Utilities Commission. Maher says his stance on the project involves local control.

“We’re trying to keep county control,” said Maher, “and not have the IUC decide what’s going to happen. That’s kind of the biggest roadblock. In our ordinance, you talk about waivers, waivers were put in there so that landowners—the nonparticipating landowners—could have some interaction, and not feel like they’re being run over.”

Tuesday’s discussion followed last Friday’s special meeting, in which the board authorized County Attorney Jim Varley to consult with Ahlers and Cooney regarding the county’s involvement in the IUC hearing’s regarding the company’s certificate application. After meeting with Ahlers and Cooney, Varley recommended a closed session to review the county’s options.

“I have information and advice I would like to share with the board,” said Varley, “but I believe our conversation would inevitably get into a discussion into strategy on a matter which is, or will soon be in litigation. As a result, I believe it is advisable to have this meeting in closed session, in accordance with Iowa Code section 21.5.1.C.”

Maher says he doesn’t wish to get into a legal battle with MidAmerican—he just wants the county to have a seat at the table during the IUC’s process. That closed session is expected to be held at the supervisors’ next regular meeting.