Des Moines County clears major site plan for natural‑gas generator at Alliant Energy plant

Des Moines County supervisors on April 7 approved a resolution that gives the county’s Land Use Administrator authority to approve Zoning Permit ZDP‑26‑06 for Interstate Power and Light Company to construct a natural gas‑powered reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) generator at the Alliant Energy power plant, 4282 Sullivan Slough Road in Burlington.

The Des Moines County Zoning Commission reviewed the Major Site Plan on March 31, 2026 and found it in full compliance with applicable provisions of the county zoning ordinance. At the board meeting, supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2026‑024, authorizing the Land Use Administrator to approve the permit “as submitted, without any additional conditions imposed on this specific permit.”

The permit application was processed under the county’s I‑1 Industrial District rules, which allow the proposed principal use provided it meets site‑plan requirements. The board’s action delegates final approval to the Land Use Administrator; the transcript records no additional conditions or mitigation measures imposed by the board.

The Land Use Administrator is responsible for issuing the permit decision and filing the approval in county records. The board’s resolution does not specify construction start dates, required state or federal permits, or environmental reviews; those items are not addressed in the meeting transcript. The Zoning Commission’s March 31 finding is recorded as the Board’s basis for the delegation of approval.