~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County supervisors heard details of a proposed renewable energy project involving a solar panel energy farm south of Grand Junction at their regular meeting May 17. Representatives of National Grid Renewables, formerly called Geronimo Energy, based in Minneapolis, MN, spoke at the meeting.
William Risse, permitting specialist, and Sidney Beck, development associate, described the project as needing 700 acres of land, either purchased or leased, to eventually produce 100 megawatts of energy which would “most likely be transferred to a public utility.” [According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, 100 megawatts on average would meet the needs of 16,400 U.S. homes.]
Although the National Grid Renewables website states the company is involved with wind energy as well as solar energy projects, Risse said the proposed solar farm has no relation to the wind farm already located in the area between Grand Junction and Rippey.
Risse and Beck mentioned the possibility of a second 100-150 megawatt farm to be located southwest of Jefferson near Greenbrier Creek at a future date.
“We strip the topsoil (in building the solar panels) and then replace it so the farmland remains viable,” said Beck. “It’s possible for sheep to graze on the solar panel farms.”
“We also construct paths and roadways and access roads to the solar panels,” they said. “There will be pilings to hold racking and panels, and fencing. Panels are connected to converters and collecting sub-stations.”
“Solar panel farms don’t pollute and there’s no odor,” said Beck. “Minimal noise. There’s very little reflectivity and no noticeable heat. The soil can rest during the life of the project.”
National Grid Renewables estimates project life at 25 to 30 years.
Risse and Beck quoted a lease rate of $750 to $1200 per acre per year to be paid to landowners. They estimated the project would provide 130 temporary jobs during the building and 3-4 fulltime positions after operations begin. They estimated $125,000 in tax revenue to the county and the establishment of a charitable fund to give money to the county.
“How did you come up with Greene County?” asked supervisor Tom Contner.
Risse and Beck described the flat land as being good for solar farm construction and operations and they spoke about “supportive community” here.
Contner countered, “We grow good crops on that land.”
“It can be returned to farmland,” answered supervisor Dawn Rudolph.
Risse and Beck said the Iowa Utilities Board application process is anticipated to begin in June. They said they will work with Chuck Wenthold, Greene County zoning coordinator, for a late June or July submittal of a proposed plan to the board of supervisors.
National Grid Renewables estimated a completion date of December 31, 2023.
In other business, board chair John Muir read Resolution 2021-21: Approving a 28E Agreement for the Construction of a New Greene County Early Learning Center (ELC.)
The resolution cited many studies showing that child care in the state of Iowa and in Greene County is closely tied to economic development of the state and county.
The resolution also protects the county by requiring prorated repayment of county money if the ELC does not remain open for at least 10 years.
Representatives of the Greene County Early Learning Center were present for the vote, including Jacque Andrew, Bill Monroe, Donna Sutton, Cherie Cerveny, and Rick Morain.
“Thank you for being leaders,” Andrew told the board. “You were first to step forward in support.”
Rudolph said, “We’re seeing more young people in the community coming back (to live here.)”
The board of supervisors has agreed to provide a total of $250,000 over 5 years toward the building of the new facility. Andrews said 85 percent of the funds needed to build the new ELC have been raised.
The resolution passed unanimously. The entire resolution is included in the minutes of the board meeting and can be found under the Calendars/Agendas tab on GCNO.
The board went into closed session to do performance reviews of information technologist/drain clerk Michelle Fields, custodian Tony Janssen, and environmental health and zoning director Chuck Wenthold. No action was taken by the board after the 50-minute meeting.
During departmental reports, county attorney Thomas Laehn requested a supervisor meet with him and others on June 3 to look at plans for finishing the magistrate courtroom.
Laehn also commended sheriff Jack Williams and law enforcement for their roles in gathering evidence for two indictments in the recent Scranton bank robbery. He said the US District Attorney also praised law enforcement.
Laehn explained public perception that one of the indictments had been dropped.
“One of the alleged robbers was indicted federally, so the state charges were dismissed (for that person),” Laehn said.
County engineer Wade Weiss reported hearing compliments on the Rippey baseball field after their opening weekend. The supervisors had approved a grant to the Friends of Rippey in November 2020 for $4,500 in Dreyfus funds toward the upgrading of Walt Anderson Field in Rippey. The group is promoting the use of the baseball field for a resurgence of interest in town-team baseball competitions.
Bob Ausberger addressed the board during open forum to ask about placing a sign near an interpretive spot along old Highway 30 near Scranton. This would be along the original Lincoln Highway.
Ausberger said he has the sign.
Muir said, “We’ll look at the sign and the site and see how to proceed within the next week or two. We’ll look at traffic flow and visibility.”
Muir said the county engineer and others will be included in the decision.
