Alliant Energy confirms purchase of Duane Arnold Solar; says decommissioning guarantee, emergency plan transferred and project renamed Pleasant Creek

Alliant Energy has closed on its purchase of the Duane Arnold Solar 1 and 2 projects, a company representative told the Linn County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13. The company said it has replaced NextEra's decommissioning guarantee with a corporate-backed guarantee and is updating the project's emergency management plan.

The update matters because the county collects generation-driven property taxes and oversees conditions such as annual review of decommissioning plans and periodic reassessments of financial assurances under Linn County ordinance. The county’s planning director, Charlie Nichols, said Alliant Energy "has signed off and agreed to all the conditions that were imposed upon Duane Arnold Solar 1 and 2 at the time of approval," and that NextEra’s decommissioning guarantee "has been released and we have a new one from Alliant Energy." (Charlie Nichols, Planning and Development Director)

Justin Foss, an Alliant Energy representative, told supervisors the sites are online and generating electricity, and described three factors he said are necessary for projects to succeed: willing landowners, available capacity on the power grid and engagement with local leaders. "We have all 3," Foss said, adding that the projects are generating revenue to the county "through the generation tax payments." Foss also said Alliant has committed to a five-year rate freeze with the Iowa Utilities Commission tied to these projects: "we did just commit to a 5 year freeze, and stay out from the Iowa Utilities Commission as a part of these projects here." (Justin Foss, Alliant Energy)

On decommissioning and emergency planning, Foss said Alliant will continue to update the decommissioning plan and the associated financial assurance "per the ordinance," and that the emergency management plan will be updated once final design drawings (including fence lines and road entrances) are complete. "Once those are done, we're expecting that to be done here in Q1," he said. (Justin Foss)

County and company representatives also discussed road protections. Kimberly Dickey, who identified a Cedar Rapids business address, said road-use agreements negotiated with the county's secondary roads department remain in effect and that a list of punch-list items will be addressed in the spring. She said performance bonds tied to road use remain in effect for 12 months after commercial operation date (COD) or until county signoff: "the performance bond for Duane Arnold Solar 1... remains in effect until March of..." (Dickey initially misspoke a year, then corrected the timeline during the meeting; see clarifying details). (Kimberly Dickey)

Dickey also provided dates for COD and bond periods related to Phase 2: she said Duane Arnold Solar 2 reached commercial operation on Dec. 12 (year not specified in the meeting record), and that the performance bond will remain in effect for 12 months post‑COD or until the county roads engineer signs off. She said the parties will return in April to complete seasonal punch‑list work that depends on weather.

Public commenter Kelly (identified as a Linn County resident) had asked about how generation reporting affects property taxes after noting gaps in EIA data. Foss recommended MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) data and Alliant’s regulatory filings and annual reports for published generation figures: "my so MISO... they do keep a track per day..." and Alliant reports generation in its 10‑K filings. Foss said the company reports where required and that more detailed reporting will be available through company and grid operator sources.

Foss also said the company will rename the projects from Duane Arnold Solar 1 and 2 to "Pleasant Creek Solar 1 and Pleasant Creek Solar 2," citing local historical ties to Pleasant Creek and prior company holdings in the area.

Board members thanked company representatives for the update and pressed Alliant on whether monthly generation reports would be required. County planning staff said the ordinance requires annual updates and periodic reassessments of decommissioning financial assurances, but does not require monthly generation reporting.

The county received the update; no formal vote or permitting action on the projects was taken during the Jan. 13 meeting.

Ending: Supervisors indicated they expect ongoing communication with Alliant and county staff on punch‑list completion, final design drawings for the emergency plan and the annual reassessment of decommissioning financial assurances.