Des Moines County extends moratorium on commercial wind permits through Dec. 31, 2025

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors voted to extend a moratorium on accepting or approving commercial wind-energy siting permit applications through Dec. 31, 2025, while staff finalizes amendments to county ordinance No. 62.

Chair Jim Carey presented the resolution, saying the board “require[s] additional time to finalize amendments to county ordinance number 62, regulations for the siting and operation of the wind energy conversion system.” The resolution states the prior moratorium had expired on Oct. 31 and extends the pause on permit acceptance to Dec. 31, 2025. The motion to approve was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.

The extension follows weeks of written correspondence from residents asking for larger setbacks and more environmental protections; staff and supervisors said they need time to resolve legal and zoning questions before allowing applications to proceed. Auditor-led roll call recorded unanimous support for the extension. The board said the moratorium applies only to acceptance or approval of new commercial siting permit applications, not to other county business.

The board directed staff to continue preparing ordinance amendments and to discuss timelines at an upcoming work session. No specific deadline for ordinance adoption was announced at the meeting.