By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Dakota City, IA – After hearing more than 40 minutes of public testimony from supporters and opponents, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Monday unanimously approved a new ordinance regulating commercial wind energy projects in the county.
Before the final vote, supervisors unanimously approved several minor amendments to Ordinance No. 77 to clarify language regarding FAA airspace approvals and references to parks, public areas and cemeteries identified in the county’s 2026 Comprehensive Plan. The board determined the revisions were minor and did not require restarting the ordinance process before voting unanimously to adopt the measure.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Kevin Cordray said the changes were intended to eliminate ambiguity in the ordinance.
“Really relatively minor things, but hopefully just remove a few areas of ambiguity that were in the ordinance.”
The hearing featured testimony from residents, union representatives and officials with wind developer RWE.
Mark Olson of Bode urged supervisors to reject the ordinance, arguing it effectively prevents wind development.
“I urge you to vote no on Ordinance 77. This ordinance was not designed to protect Humboldt County residents. The excessive setbacks in the ordinance were put in there to effectively ban wind turbines from Humboldt County.”
RWE developer Tim Renaud thanked the board for clarifying portions of the ordinance but said the regulations remain unworkable for future projects.
“The setbacks and other requirements still make this ordinance as is unworkable…We remain committed to partnering with Humboldt County regardless of the outcome.”
RWE attorney Kristy Rogers echoed those concerns, telling supervisors the ordinance functions as an effective prohibition on commercial wind development.
“What they came up with was an ordinance that does not allow that…if you enact this ordinance, you really are forcing the hands of anyone who is here looking at developing a project in Humboldt County and pushing them towards that Iowa Utilities Commission process.”
Several residents spoke in favor of adopting the ordinance.
Humboldt County resident Dyle Erickson praised the Planning and Zoning Commission’s work and said the proposal prioritizes public safety.
“I’d like to thank the Planning and Zoning Board for all their time researching this ordinance and their priority of protecting the safety and health of the residents of Humboldt County. I think we’re pretty fortunate to have these people that have spent all this time researching and giving us an ordinance…This ordinance does not prohibit windmills. It just says that the safety and health of our is a top priority.”
Following the public hearing, supervisors briefly discussed the ordinance before voting unanimously to suspend the three-reading requirement for the amendments and give final approval to Ordinance No. 77. Supervisor Rick Pederson noted that neighboring landowners can waive many of the ordinance’s setback requirements if they choose.
“Most everything in there can be waived by your neighbors…So it takes the participation of your neighbors to get it passed or approved.”
The ordinance becomes effective following its publication as required by law. During the same meeting, supervisors also unanimously approved ordinances governing battery energy storage systems, data centers, pipeline transmission systems and utility-scale solar projects.