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Board discusses bringing pipeline setback ordinance back after recent rulings; supervisors split on timing
Summary
Supervisors debated whether to reintroduce a county ordinance setting setbacks for pipelines after recent court rulings and state-level action; several supervisors said they favored placing the item on next week's agenda to allow amendment after judicial outcomes.
Supervisors discussed reintroducing a county ordinance that would set minimum setback distances for pipelines across Worth County, citing recent court rulings and state-level action by the governor and the utilities board.
Several supervisors said they favored placing the ordinance back on the agenda so the county would have local protections in place and could amend the measure if appellate courts or state regulators later set different standards. One speaker noted reporting that the utilities board had reduced a setback to 300 feet and said that a statewide standard set from Des Moines could undercut local control.
Supervisors also referenced ongoing litigation in other counties that has affected how local boards proceed; one supervisor said the county could be named in a lawsuit but indicated the board could later amend or rescind the ordinance depending on court outcomes. The board agreed to bring the pipeline/setback ordinance back for discussion at next week’s meeting.
No formal ordinance was adopted during the meeting; the board directed staff to place the item on a future agenda.
