Board opens hearing on wind-energy repowering ordinance; first reading approved

The O’Brien County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. on July 8 on the proposed Second Amendment to County Ordinance No. 22 (2010), adding Section 11 to govern Wind Energy Device Repowering. The amendment would establish rules for replacement, refurbishment and modernization of existing wind energy devices and accessory structures in unincorporated O’Brien County. A public question focused on construction impacts to county roads and the form of road use agreements; MidAmerican Energy representatives answered supervisors’ questions about recent state legislation and described project timeframes and plans.