Second Reading of Amended Floyd County Wind Turbine Ordinance Passes on Split Vote

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors reviewed numerous amendments during the second reading of the revised ordinance regulating the construction of wind turbines in Floyd County. 

Supervisor Jim Jorgensen introduced many of the amendments during the August 6th public hearing on the ordinance, including his most controversial amendment: limiting the number of wind turbines in the County to 70 total, including 50 already operated by MidAmerican Energy.

Supervisor Chair Mark Kuhn questioned Jorgensen on how he arrived at that number.

Representatives from Invenergy and NextEra Energy, companies looking to develop wind farms of about 40 turbines each in the Marble Rock/Rockford area, said the amendments will kill their projects. Kuhn agreed.

Planning & Zoning Chair Dean Tjaden, who again expressed frustration by the direction Jorgensen and Supervisor Dennis Keifer have taken with the ordinance drafted by P&Z commission, said a limit on the number of wind turbines was never discussed in their meetings.

Like the first reading, the second reading of the ordinance passed on a 2-1 vote with Jorgensen and Keifer voting YES and Kuhn NO.

The third reading of the ordinance, which would make any changes official, is now scheduled for 6:30 pm October 9th in the courtroom of the Floyd County Courthouse.