While a revised ordinance regulating the construction of wind turbines in Floyd County is not a done deal yet, the Board of Supervisors has extended the moratorium on accepting and/or approving any applications or permits for any development of wind farms.
The moratorium was set to expire October 1st, which is eight days before Supervisors are scheduled to consider the third and final reading of the wind turbine ordinance that would reset the regulations for placement and construction. The County’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) was charged with updating the ordinance, but Supervisor Jim Jorgensen has introduced several amendments, including limiting the number of wind turbines in the County to 70 total, including 50 already operated by MidAmerican Energy.
During their regular meeting Monday (09.23), Jorgensen motioned to extend the moratorium on wind farm development.
Supervisors voted 3-0 to extend the moratorium to December 23rd, at which time Jorgensen will no longer be on the Board. He is not seeking re-election to his District 3 Supervisor seat and, since he was appointed to the position, Boyd Campbell, the only candidate on the ballot in November for the post, is likely to take over for Jorgensen right after the election.
The third reading of the wind energy systems ordinance is scheduled for 6:30 pm October 9th in the courtroom of the Floyd County Courthouse.
Representatives from Invenergy and NextEra Energy, companies which had been looking to develop wind farms of about 40 turbines each in the Marble Rock/Rockford areas, said the amendments, if approved, will kill their projects.
