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Local advocates urge Scott County to reject zoning that would allow 'peak' natural gas plant in Maysville
Summary
A Davenport nonprofit representative told the Scott County Board of Supervisors the proposed zoning change would convert high‑quality farmland and cited air‑pollution concerns, urging alternatives such as solar and batteries.
Laurie McCollum, speaking for Progressive Action for the Common Good, told the Scott County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 4 that a proposed zoning change to allow a "peak" natural-gas plant in rural Maysville would permanently remove high-quality farmland from agricultural use.
McCollum said the affected parcels have Crop Productivity Index/CSR ratings above 80 and cited Scott County ordinance language that, she said, bars rezoning soils with an average CSR of 60 or higher to the USF district. She told the board she had reviewed nearby examples and said peak plants can emit higher greenhouse gases than baseload plants. "These pollutants cause health problems for high risk populations like children, the elderly, or those with chronic respiratory conditions," McCollum said.
McCollum told the board she had read an EPA-related finding — and offered as an example a plant in Princeton, Illinois — that, she said, showed nitrogen-oxide rates increasing after a peak plant was placed there. She also said there are 30 operating plants in Iowa across 22 counties and urged the board to explore alternatives such as solar arrays paired with battery storage, noting that solar can allow dual land uses like grazing. "If your goal includes job growth, we think you'll be disappointed," she said, citing a plant website listing seven employees.
The board thanked McCollum and asked her to submit the materials she referenced by email. There was no formal board action on the zoning matter during the meeting.
Why it matters: The comment links land‑use policy, public‑health concerns and local economic arguments to an upcoming rezoning proposal. The speaker asked the county to align any decision with the county's soil‑protection ordinance and to consider renewable alternatives that preserve agricultural use.
What’s next: McCollum offered to provide supporting documents to the board by email; the board did not take a vote or direct staff to a specific action at the Dec. 4 meeting.
