By: Nathan Bloechl — nathanb@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, Iowa — The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors passed the second hearing of the proposed wind tower ordinance at their meeting on Monday.
However, the supervisors plan to pass the hearings then make changes as they see fit, which will then require three more new hearings, according to board chairman Bruce Reimers.
This week, the supervisors heard from newly appointed County Engineer Ben Loots. Loots told the board that the secondary roads department will be “willing to work with whoever comes in” and is neither for or against wind-towers in the county.
Kevin Cordray has spoken out about the displeasure of the language of the ordinance multiple times and said he sees wind energy in four different lights in relation to Humboldt County.
“When I break it down, I break it into four sectors” Cordray said, ” financial impact, quality of life impact, conservation impact and property rights impact. I only see a positive in the financial impact.”
be a balance, and he believes it’s not quite there. “I can’t speak for them but I would imagine the wind companies jumping up and down because this ordinance is great for them.
Supervisor Erik Underberg agreed with Cordray saying that while financial impact would be nice, it still comes with a major price, a price he deems is too high.
Underberg wanted the supervisors to model their ordinance after Kossuth County who was very rigid and strict on wind-towers and their implementation, however Kossuth County is now re-writing their ordinance to allow wind energy into the county.
In terms of distinct hard and fast changes the supervisors see fit for the ordinance, there have been none. Supervisors Carl Mattes and Rick Pedersen believe they’ll be able to make necessary changes following the third reading after gathering all the public’s input.
The third and final reading will be held next week at the Humboldt County Courthouse.