The Linn County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application for the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center in a decision made last night. The facility, which would consist of three single-cycle gas-fired power plants, is being developed by Interstate Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy.
The county Planning and Zoning Commission had previously met to consider the rezoning request, resulting in a 3-3 deadlock that prevented the body from issuing a formal recommendation to the supervisors. This represented the second commission meeting on the matter. At an initial session in September, commissioners posed questions regarding the plant’s water supply sourcing. IPL was directed to provide responses at the subsequent meeting but failed to adequately address the commissioners’ inquiries. Several commissioners also voiced concern that the project did not comply with the county’s comprehensive land use plan.
The Sierra Club’s Iowa chapter and Beyond Coal Campaign released statements supporting the supervisors’ decision, characterizing it as protective of local water resources and community interests. Representatives noted that the region already faces limited water availability, which would be further strained by the proposed facility’s cooling requirements. They also highlighted the organization’s recent findings regarding Alliant and IPL’s progress on transitioning away from fossil fuel generation.
Despite the local rezoning denial, IPL maintains an active application with the Iowa Utilities Commission, which is scheduled to hold a hearing on the project later this year. The supervisors’ action reflects community opposition efforts, with residents participating in public comment periods during county proceedings.
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