100 wind turbines going up from Carroll to Breda

MidAmerican Energy is developing a 100-turbine wind-power project in Carroll County that will stretch from just inside Carroll's two-mile limit to Breda.

The $300 million turbine project started in recent days with the construction of access roads and other initial work, Tom Budler, Mid-American's general manager for wind power, said in an interview with the Daily Times Herald.

MidAmerican plans to move swiftly on the project.

"It will absolutely be on the line by the end of 2008," Budler said.

He said the electricity generated from the wind project could provide power to about 75,000 homes. The nearly 400-foot towers will sweep majestically from farmland to the Carroll County sky, with just about all 100 being visible on a drive from Carroll to Breda on U.S. 71.

MidAmerican already has 66 turbines in Carroll and Crawford Counties. As of now, the company has no plans to move beyond the 166 total turbines. But by the end of the year, Carroll County will be a major player in the wind-energy scene with the 100-turbine addition.

"I see them as part of the future of energy in this area," said Mayor Jim Pedelty.

Budler and other MidAmerican officials were in Carroll Monday for a city council meeting to discuss a proposed ordinance that would affect seven of the 100 turbines. Those seven would be in the jurisdiction of the city, and officials want more information about height, setbacks and possible impact on other development before any ordinance goes into effect.

"I do think it makes sense to be a little cautious with our approach," said Councilman Jeff Scharfenkamp.

The matter is deferred until the next council meeting in July.

"I have confidence that we will approve this ordinance," Pedelty said.

Pedelty said the city is pro-renewable energy and sees the benefit for the area. He also noted this is the first instance where city zoning has come into play with a major wind project in Iowa.

"We are kind of in a unique situation," Pedelty said. "In some respects we don't want to make a mistake because it may be viewed as a precedent."

For his part, Pedelty says that since the seven turbines would be north of the corridor for a proposed U.S. 30 bypass that should not be viewed as an impediment to growth.

Scharfenkamp said any impact on development should be considered closely.

But he supports the concept of renewable energy development in Carroll County.

"I do think these wind farms have been very good and want to find a way to make it happen," Scharfenkamp said.

MidAmerican was not releasing any information on lease payments to landowners, but the impact of the money flowing to local property holders and the tax base would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

MidAmerican could move the seven turbines outside of the city's zoning authority at some significant cost, not to mention a loss or revenue to three landowners slated to get benefits from having the turbines on their property.

Budler says he thinks the company can work with the city on the ordinance but that time is of the essence.

"Certainly we would have liked to see the ordinance approved tonight," Budler said.

In other business, the council:

- Approved a 25-year franchise agreement with Alliant Energy for natural gas service with a 15-year opt-out clause, bringing to an end a years-long debate about service in Carroll.

- Approved a tax increment financing plan for Ace Builders which is developing property in eastern Carroll.

About $115,000 in street, sewer and recreational trail work will be performed there with the money flowing back to the city over a period of years as the taxation on the property increases with the development.

Ace and the city are partnering on the tax-increment financing proposal for what the city is calling an "east view" development located just north of the East Side Shell station.

- Approved a 3.5 percent increase to the Sewer Utility Fund. The rate increase on 1,000 cubic feet moves from $31.25 monthly to $32.45 on July 1.