More solar project comments, concerns at Page County board meeting

(Clarinda) — Some Page County residents asking for continued diligence from the county’s board of supervisors on a proposed solar energy project.

Late last month, Ahlers and Cooney Attorney Tim Whipple, representing the supervisors, filed a petition to intervene with the Iowa Utilities Commission regarding MidAmerican Energy’s certificate application for the proposed Nodaway Solar Project. Speaking at Tuesday’s regular meeting, local resident Cindy Van Fosson cited language in the petition, stating the power of the county is vested through its supervisors, based on statutes in the Iowa Code. Under the statute, she say the board has the power to exercise any power, or perform any function it deems necessary to protect the county and its residents.

“Notice it did not say that it was part of their power to further any economic interest of an outside organization, or corporation,” said Van Fosson.

Van Fosson lauded the supervisors for obtaining legal counsel to intervene in the IUC’s solar project proceedings.

“I wanted to thank you guys for listening to the recommendation of the Page County attorney,” she said, “and hiring outside legal counsel to guide you through the whole process. I hope to keep encouraging you to fight against bullies.”

Jean Wagoner, who lives near the proposed project northeast of Clarinda, expressed numerous concerns. One concerned involved a statute in state code indicating the IUC can override county ordinances, and approve a utility-scale solar project.

“If the commission issues a certificate of public conveyance, use and necessity,” said Wagoner, “the utility provider can legally proceed with construction, regardless of local restrictions. Our question is, if that happens, who will then govern or look out for our interests, because this is going to be out of Des Moines. Who is going to be in the neighborhood looking out for our interests?”

Wagoner asked the board whether Whipple, as the county’s legal counsel, also represents the county’s landowners. Supervisors Vice Chair Todd Maher says the attorney only represents the supervisors in the matter.

“They are just helping guide us for our ordinance,” said Maher, “and what the IUC proceedings are. They are not really fighting against solar, or anything. They’re basically helping to represent us at the IUC. They’re just representing the board petty much at the IUC.”

Maher announced the commission is holding a public hearing on the proposed 50-megawatt solar project October 20 at 1 p.m. at Wibholm Hall in Clarinda.

In other business, the board approved removing County Roads J-20 and J-52 from the list of the county’s 55 mph routes, the purchase of a Dodge 5500 pickup from Shore Motor Company of Clarinda for $70,500 for the county’s secondary roads pipe crew, the disposal of the county conservation department’s capital assets, and tax abatement requests for properties in Shenandoah and Essex. Also, the supervisors approved the hiring of Shannon Murray in the county’s veterans affairs office.