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RWE Clean Energy outlines 120–180 MW wind project for Hardin County; no vote taken
Summary
RWE Clean Energy told Hardin County supervisors it is reintroducing a wind project that the presenter said targets about 135 MW (120–180 MW range), 27–44 turbines and could generate roughly $2 million a year in local tax revenue; the board heard the presentation but did not act.
Nicholas Brown, senior manager for development at RWE Clean Energy LLC, told the Hardin County Board of Supervisors that the company is reintroducing a wind farm project in the county and is extending leases with participating landowners. "We're looking at about a 135 megawatts … a range of a 120 to a 180 megawatts," Brown said, adding that the layout could require "anywhere from 27 to 44 turbines." He said about 20,000 acres are leased and roughly 130 landowners are participating.
Brown said earlier development began in 2017 and paused pending ordinance changes; the company is now assessing transmission, economic viability and siting constraints such as airport landing paths. He presented projected fiscal impacts, stating the project could deliver "upwards of $2,000,000 a year" in tax payments to county government and as much as "$75,000,000 over the course of the project" to participating landowners, with an estimated $40,000,000 to local schools and $30,000,000 to county government over 30 years. Brown described Iowa tax law's 3% levy‑growth cap and said wind projects are typically taxed at 30% of assessed value with a stepped schedule in early years.
Members of the public addressed the board after Brown's presentation. An attendee praised the proposal as "real economic development" and noted farmers could receive guaranteed lease income. Brown told supervisors he and his team will continue community outreach in towns including Alden, Buckeye and other local neighborhoods, and that turbine siting, line locations and financial estimates are preliminary and subject to change.
The supervisors did not take a formal vote or direct staff to approve or reject the project during the meeting. Brown said he will continue engagement with the community and return with additional details as the project develops.
The meeting record does not show any formal action related to the RWE project; the board continued with other agenda items afterwards.
