CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Alliant Energy has submitted a rezoning application to Linn County for the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center, a natural gas-fired electric generating facility planned near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Benton-Linn Road west of Cedar Rapids.
The application requests rezoning of about 160 acres from Agricultural to Exclusive Use-2, as required under Linn County’s development code for gas-fired electric generating facilities. The proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center would consist of three natural gas combustion turbines with a combined generating capacity of about 720 megawatts.
The project is designed to help meet growing energy needs, support electric reliability and meet regional capacity requirements. While proposed on 160 acres of land, the actual facility would only take up about 55 acres, with a portion of the land expected to be restored to agricultural use upon operation.
“The submission of our zoning application reflects the next step in what is a thorough review process from multiple regulating entities,” said May Farlinger, president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa energy company. “Our application includes detailed information about the proposed project, including site planning, infrastructure needs and economic impacts.”
“We remain committed to engaging with the community and participating fully in the county’s review process,” Farlinger said.
As part of the application, Alliant Energy submitted an independent economic impact analysis estimating the project could create about 200 jobs in Linn County and generate nearly $90 million in local economic output during construction. The company also anticipates significant opportunities for local contractors and suppliers and is committed to using qualified union labor whenever possible during construction.
The analysis also suggests that more than $24 million in local tax revenue could be generated over the life of the facility. The rezoning application outlines opportunities for local contracting, procurement and workforce participation associated with the project.
The rezoning application is separate from the project’s air permitting application, which the company expects to submit to Linn County Public Health within the next week. The complete application will include air modeling results and detailed technical analyses, and will be available on the Iowa DNR’s EASY Air System.
As required by law, it will be reviewed through a public process that is separate from the rezoning review process. Alliant Energy currently anticipates technical review of the air permit application to be completed in early 2027, followed by opportunities for public comment.
“Guided by our values and commitment to environmental stewardship, we approach every project with a focus on safety, compliance and accountability,” Farlinger said. “Alliant Energy has decades of experience constructing and operating generating facilities while meeting stringent environmental standards and regulatory requirements, and we look forward to demonstrating this fact through the review process.”
Over the coming months, Linn County will review the rezoning application through its established process, which includes multiple opportunities for public input before the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Community feedback will be considered alongside technical, planning and regulatory requirements throughout the review.