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Residents urge opposition to proposed Morgan Valley Energy Plant; Alliant has filed permit with state utility commission, board says it will oppose
Summary
During public comment on May 5, residents told the Benton County Board of Supervisors they oppose the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Plant, said Alliant has filed a permit application with the Iowa Utilities Commission, and urged a temporary moratorium while the county drafts ordinances. The board recorded continued opposition and Chairman Tracy Seeman plans to attend the IUB hearing.
During the public‑comment portion of Benton County’s May 5 meeting, three residents urged the board to oppose the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Plant and asked the county to consider temporary measures while permitting proceeds.
John Lee, a Linn County resident, thanked the board for sending and sharing a letter of opposition and urged residents and officials to press for scrutiny of the project, including attending Linn County hearings. Jay Hopkins, a Benton County resident, told the board that Alliant has filed a permit application with the Iowa Utilities Commission and warned that misinformation is circulating about the proposal. Kelly Goodwin‑Ackerman asked whether the county could impose a temporary moratorium until Benton County can adopt ordinances and said she had provided a Supreme Court case involving Worth County to the county attorney for review; the minutes do not specify the case details.
The minutes state the board ‘‘continues to be opposed,’’ and Chairman Tracy Seeman said she plans to attend the Utility Board hearing in person. The record does not show a formal board vote to adopt new ordinances or to impose a moratorium at this meeting; the comments were entered in the minutes and the board’s stated opposition remains the most recent formal position on record.
Next steps The board scheduled unrelated land‑use hearings for June 2 and adjourned. Chairman Seeman’s attendance at the IUB hearing was recorded in the minutes as the board’s near‑term action; any formal county regulatory response would require additional board action or ordinance drafting.
