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Local resident tells supervisors he opposes AES Clean Energy and warns wind setbacks could halt development
Summary
During public comment, Charles Tominson criticized AES Clean Energy and argued that conservation-board setback recommendations could effectively prevent wind development in Des Moines County; he raised wildlife concerns about bats and said aerodynamic vortices from turbine blades threaten flying animals.
Charles Tominson of South (self-identified) used the Nov. 4 public-comment period to register opposition to AES Clean Energy and to criticize what he described as the company's branding as "AES Clean Energy."
Tominson read from a letter to the board and said the conservation board’s proposed setbacks "would completely block all wind development in the county," asking rhetorically how wide the county is and calling the setback proposal "a slap in the face to our own people." He urged the board to involve the Iowa DNR and local conservation expertise.
Tominson also raised wildlife and safety concerns, saying turbine wake vortices can flip small aircraft and harm birds and bats. He told the board he had materials from aeronautical training to support his assertions and said he feared turbines could exacerbate bat mortality.
The board took the comment during the public-input period and did not take action on the matter at the meeting. The conservation board’s proposal and the county’s wind/solar/battery ordinance were discussed as possible agenda items in an upcoming meeting, but no ordinance decision was made Nov. 4.
