JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa — MidAmerican Energy’s plans to build a 150 megawatt solar energy project south of Iowa City is moving forward.
The Johnson County Board of Adjustments approved a conditional use permit for a six-acre plot of land. It’s adjacent to a current MidAmerican facility on Dane Road about 3 miles south of the airport. That land would host a substation pulling power from the solar project onto the power grid.
People who spoke during the public comment period had mixed reactions.
“We’re delighted that MidAmerican Energy came on board with us two and a half years ago. We continue to work on the development team with them. They now own and run the project. And as you know, the amount of renewable energy they’re providing in the state is really exceptional.” Sean Kennedy, Project Founder, said.
One landowner near the proposed site says this takes away farm land availability.
“I have a 111-year-old farm and I intend to keep it for my next generation and this not only narrows up the land market in our area for people who want to farm. I don’t care about the value, what I care about is for farm use. We lose 2,000 acres a day in this country of farmland.” Randy Lackender said.
The Board of Supervisors will need to sign off on the plans for it to become official.