Meeting Public Comments

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SF 376

A bill for an act relating to the siting and operation of renewable electric power generating facilities.(See SF 2447.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Klimesh-CH, Bousselot, Knox

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Location: Senate Lounge

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

02-28-2025

Bonnie Urban

Iowa Code 352.1 states: It is the intent of the general assembly to provide local citizens and local governments the means by which agricultural land may be protected from nonagricultural development pressures." This bill flies directly in the face of our Code. Vote NO and let this bill die.

02-28-2025

Robert Nazario

I am so against this bill SF 376. I would like this bill and all other bills that wish to subvert the jurisdictions of local counties and municipalities, be placed in the trash bin and never repeated. from the bill: Section1. Section 476.53A, Code2025, is amended to read as follows ... 476.53A Renewable electric power generation. It is the intent of the general assembly to encourage as the development of renewable electric power generation. It is also the intent of the general assembly to encourage the use of renewable power to meet local electric needs and the development of transmission capacity to export wind excess power generated in Iowa. end of from the bill... WE DONT WANT WIND TURBINES! We want coal, natural gas and oil driven power plants. Real reliable energy. Turbines litter the landscape as well as solar fields. We need our ag land for agricultural purposes. Why are the republicans embracing AOCs GREEN NEW DEAL? Money! Thats the only thing thats GREEN. We need investigations into who might be getting kickbacks from corporations (alleged)! Are some of our state officials colluding with green energy corporations or power companies? Lets open that can of worms! Read SF 376... It's everything we don't want! I urge the everyone to enter a comment and attend the sub committee! These elected public servants work for you! If they can't honor their oath of office.... get out of the way!... Robert Nazario

02-28-2025

Robert Nazario

Many are completely against this SF376 Any bill that subverts county ordinances and centralizes control in DSM is not good for we the people. Patriots must wake and come against the state tyranny we see today! Stand against those among you that took the Oath of Office and yet assist others in the trampling of our God Given Constitutionally Protected Rights. You know who they are, few in numbers but wield the power to stop good legislation while on the other hand promote bills that facilitate the trampling our freedoms/rights etc. This is the hill to die on! How long will the people not see through the clouds that obscure a proper discernment. You are either a Patriot or part of the Iowa Establishment/Swamp. Legislators take an Oath of Office and yet they justify the trampling of your Constitutional Rights granted to us not by government but by God! For Public Use means only one thing! The Constitution doesn't say for public interest, for public good, for economic development or for public benefit! it says FOR PUBLIC USE. 5th last part! "nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." If youre not going to support and defend the Constitution and honor your OATH of OFFICE, get out of the way! Its Never Ok to Trample The Rights of Hardworking Americans. This bill is being fast tracked for a reason.... Reminds me of the Pelosi bill, "let's pass it to see what's in it! It is also the intent of the general assembly to encourage rate regulated public utilities to consider altering existing electric power generating facilities, where when reasonable, to manage carbon emission intensity in order to facilitate the transition to a carbon constrained environment. IT IS TIME FOR PATRIOTS and patriot legislators to unite and fight against the climate hoax the former Senator Waylon Brown of district 30 and last chair of the senate commerce committee and others, (few) in that same committee, have embraced for their own agenda! The Carbon Intensity Score, Carbon Footprint and Net Zero Carbon are pipe dreams. It is just made up voodoo math and only reflected on paper but yet many will profit from the scheme. The folks of Iowa and the greater Midwest deserve more from our public servants. Many families have owned their ground for many generations and have bled and toiled over their ground for many years, much blood, sweat and tears. Their Land is not for the taking. Yet bills like this subvert a founding premise and local control.... we have had it with legislators that seem to work for themselves and special interest. Legislators, a servant of the people, have a duty to pass legislation that protect the people of Iowa and not succumb to the lust of the eyes, the pride of life and the lust for power or greed. I implore you to Stop this legislation and any and all legislation that on the surface is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. PROTECT THE PEOPLE and live up to the MOTTO! Our Liberties we prize and our Rights We Will Maintain. Help us Maintain those Rights. Thank You Robert Nazario Hardin Co. Iowa FreeSoilFoundation.com

02-28-2025

Bob Cue [Buchanan County Citizens Against Wind Turbines ]

Vote No on SF376. Do not take away local control from county officials. There are nearly 50% of Iowa counties who have created moratoriums and ordinances against wind turbines and solar. The citizens of Iowa are speaking out against these projects. For example Buchanan Co. had over 800 landowners and citizens sign a petition against wind turbines last year. So who do we listen to our voters or large energy companies? SF 376 must be voted down.

02-28-2025

Dawn Vogel [Buchanan County - County Supervisor]

Vote against SF376. This bill is against local control, and Buchanan County has an ordinance. We worked hard on it and took our time to get it right. Additionally, I did not see any decommissioning language in the bill. Let locallevel policymakers determine what is in the best interest of the citizens. We have over 800 signatures from rural Brandon on a petition against the big wind. Plus, every county has different geological features, such as sinkholes, which make it impossible to site windmills. The only people that were for it were absentee landowners. Once the nuclear plant is brought back online, the power from the 660foottall fans is not needed. Counties have had to set up TIF districts to expand roads and then put them back the way they were, and it takes 7 years to get to the entire taxable value of 35 percent. It is not a money maker for the county. However, a housing district on 55 or less CSR is a longterm investment that pays around 45 to 47 percent for years on expensive houses. Plus, there is a horrid amount of materials used to put one of the structures in place, and when they explode or burn up, fiberglass is strewn around the ground, making it impossible for future farming or hay production.

02-28-2025

Chuck Peter

I respectfully request that SF 376 not be passed out of committee. These decisions need to be made at the county level in Iowa, where local officials are accountable to local residents. Regulations have not kept up with the increasing size of these wind generators, and transmission lines. Additionally, until there are rules mandating decommissioning and removal in the event their usage is discontinued, not another one of these monsters should be built.

03-01-2025

Amanda Miller

VOTE NO SF376! This bill strips our local County Supervisor's ability to make decisions based on their specific county demographics and the ability for counties to determine what is best for their residents. This also strips the voices of county residents to have a voice in things that happen within their own zip code on their own land! Furthermore, this violates property rights in every single way imaginable! This bill is taking away the rights from EVERYONE and handing it directly over to the energy companies. Setbacks from property lines and dwellings are THE ABSOLUTE most important things. The setbacks proposed in this bill are absolutely irresponsible. This bill is an open door for energy companies to do what they want when they want. It is missing so many vital regulations! This bill is giving free reign to destroy our nonrenewable resourceag land! How can money take precedence over the wellbeing of Iowan's. Please , Please , Please vote against this bill. Amanda Miller

03-01-2025

Christopher Urban

Keep local control in the counties. If a county wants to put up wind turbines, let it be their choice. But if my county chooses to NOT have wind turbines, so be it. This bill will force turbines on ANY county that does not want them, thereby disregarding the will of those people.Please vote NO on SF 376.

03-01-2025

Harold Kavalier

I am against Bill SF 376. Buchanan County voted strongly against large wind, and solar installations. These wind and solar companies keep looking for a crack as a way to get their projects to advance. We now find that they are trying to push it through the state, which is not acceptable. Leave the responsibility to the county and the community to decide what they want to do in regards to wind and solar projects. The people in Buchanan County were very vocal as were many additional counties in Iowa that we dont want large wind and solar. We do not want to see large wind and solar projects taking up precious farm ground. The state of Iowas number one mission should me to protect the farm land, this bill goes completely against that.The vast majority of the lane owners in support of this bill do not live on the property where wind easements were signed with Next Era. The wind projects do not affect them but it does affect the surrounding community, which is why the people in Buchanan county said no.There is plenty of new technology coming which will make these systems obsolete. If they want wind and solar, place that on unusable land. There is plenty of non farmable land outside Iowa. Do the right thing and protect Iowa farmland, which should be your number one mission!Also I am sure the state has not completely thought through all the requirements needed, such as clean up. I also know these wind and solar companies are very sneaky by changing names and using a variety of names through different LLCs to shield themselves of responsibility. Even if you have a provision to require a complete site removal and the wind or solar field is to be decommissioned due to age, you cant enforce they to follow through when they are not in business because they out of business or operating under a new name. Do the right thing and vote no!

03-01-2025

Amanda Masilko

AGAINSTkeep this a decision at the local level! STOP taking away our farmland. STOP giving our land rights over to foreign companies, STOP CRAMMING turbines down our throats and forcing us to live by them while none of you do. STOP STOP STOP! People are choosing another state to live in due to this.

03-01-2025

Teresa Boring

As a resident at 12668 N Ave, Parkersburg, IA 50665, I urge you to oppose SF 376, which undermines local governance and property rights. This bill allows renewable energy companies to bypass county ordinances following only state guidelines which are unreasonable. This contradicts Iowa Code 331.301 which grants counties the authority to protect residents safety and property. Iowa values self governance, and county supervisors are best positioned to make local decisions. The counties that make up Iowa have vastly different population densities, topography, and environmental and conservation concerns. A one size fit all bill is not practical! Please stand with Iowa property owners and local government by saying NO to SF 376!Sincerely, Teresa Boring

03-01-2025

Crystal Klahsen

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 376.As a Grundy County resident, I dedicated nearly three years to advocating for stronger industrial wind ordinances in Butler and Grundy County. The vast majority of residents who physically live in these counties supported strict regulations to protect our communities. I trust our local Supervisors to make appropriate decisions, like this for their counties. This bill contradicts Iowa code 331.Industrial wind energy is not what local Iowans want. We believe control should remain at the county level, ensuring decisions reflect the will of the people most affected. We do not want our landscape dominated by towering, blinking structures that rely on heavy government subsidies to remain viable.Please remember that you represent all Iowansnot just a select few who stand to benefit financially, many of whom do not even reside in our state.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Crystal Klahsen

03-01-2025

Marc Reifenrath

I am not in favor of these decisions being done at the state level versus the county level. Grundy county already has too many of wind turbines and this is some of the best black dirt in the world. We need to protect that. Also wind power is not the most efficient way to produce clean energy in the long run. Thank you for your consideration.

03-01-2025

Marcia Allen

Iowans know better.SF 375 is not worthy of independent Iowans. Vote NO so decisively this never rears its ugly head again. Home Rule, NOT State House Rule. My county of Adams County is not Polk County is not Ringgold County is not Clarke County is not Home Rule.

03-02-2025

Gwen Wrich

As a farm owner/operator I think it is imperative for local control of these issues that are certainly not related to some public benefit effort. Allowing private companies to run over the will of locals is wrong. This bill does nothing but favors big, wealthy corporate interests over the will of the people.We are relying on your fair logic and sound assessment of what it means to own land, and also the local govt control by supervisors that is already in place who are elected by the local people to serve their interests and the interests of the community and state. Please please vote NO to SF 376Gwen and Wayne Wrich12497 J ave Aplington IA 13192691568

03-02-2025

April Peters

It is imperative that Iowa landowners have 100% say about what happens with the land that they own! The government should have no authority to trash and ruin land that does not belong to them for things that actually pollute the world more than save it. Your "green" energy makes eye sores for those that live close. The noise is pollution to Iowa's tranquil environment. Most Iowan's live here for the serenity we enjoy. Now when I travel across our great state I have to look at an eyesore army of windmills that don't even produce local energy. The wildlife these windmills kill is astronomical! If carbon pipelines go in, our food supply will be compromised. Don't try to fool the state of Iowa! This bill takes away the rights of landowners and should be stopped immediately.

03-02-2025

Kathy Carter

I thought the Republican stance was to ELIMINATE overregulation, ELIMINATE overbearing government, ELIMINATE the "heavy hand of government". This is the time to allow LOCAL entities, and local populations, to do what is best for their LOCAL area. This bill takes all of that away. It is basically communistic. KILL THIS BILL NOW.

03-02-2025

Connie Mellott

It is wrong to take control away from the Counties in regard to wind and solar farms. Every county is different in so many ways. This onesize fits all is ridiculous. We count on our County Supervisors, our Planning and Zoning Board, and our ordinances to guide and protect our County. So many county residents across the state are voicing opposition to these solar and wind farms after seeing the negative effects of the existing ones. It is not right for so many in the Metro areas to decide what is going to be sited on our agricultural lands. They dont have to live with them and all the adverse effectwe do. VOTE NO on SF 376.

03-02-2025

Bruce Hayes [Pleasant Valley Family Farms, Inc.]

I am adamantly opposed to losing local control of the placement of future renewable energy projects. Discretion on such projects should be left to the board of supervisors of each individual county.I am a farmer, land owner and resident of Grundy County.Bruce Hayes785 Fox Ridge RoadDike, Iowa 506243192693416

03-02-2025

Cheryl Hogberg

VOTE NO SF 376This bill allows renewable energy companies to bypass county ordinances, following only state guidelines which are not enough. Iowa Code 331.301 grants counties the authority to protect their constituents safety & property.Iowans value self governance and county supervisors are better positioned to make local decisions. Each county has vastly different population density, topography, environmental/conservation concerns. One size does not fit all which makes this bill impractical.Please stand with Iowa property owners and local government by saying NO to SF 376.Cheryl HogbergRed Oak IA

03-02-2025

Ann Bokelman

Local situations are best handled by local citizens. Vote NO on this bill which is a total waste of our taxes. We pay our supervisors to do a job. Let them do it! Des Moines has no idea what life in rural Iowa is about.Sincerely,Ann BokelmanWorth County

03-02-2025

Juli Cooper

Control and creation of ordinances and regulations are best determined by local government in each county as those representatives are aware of their constituents requests and have best knowledge of land use. A one size fits all is not the solution. Blanket policies, such as this proposed bill, do nothing but erode land owners rights and accountability of local governments to meet and protect those rights under Iowa Code 331.301; and in turn only promotes and encourages corporations overreaching to steal those rights. The details of SF376 are designed only to enable expansion of corporate driven industrialization on agricultural based land; there is no proven safety data pertaining to humans, wildlife, soil, water, or environment of the measurements submitted in that document. Our land is priceless and we deserve to retain ownership and direction of our futures at a LOCAL level. I strongly oppose SF 376.Juli CooperAdams County

03-02-2025

Denise Cue

Vote no on SF376! This bill to take away local control from counties defies Iowa Code 352.1 which was established to protect Iowas lands from nonagricultural construction and development. Citizens throughout Iowa are not in favor of giving up Iowas number one natural resourceits soilfor wind and solar projects that threaten human and animal health and wellbeing. While creating higher taxes, reducing property values, and disturbing habitats. SF 376 will do more harm for Iowans than good! VOTE NO SF 376!

03-02-2025

Lee Good

I oppose SF 376All 99 counties in Iowa have different topographies and different needs, to have local government taken away cripples their growth and keeps residents from getting involved knowing they wont have a say in the development of their communities. Vote No to bill SF 376!

03-02-2025

Jennifer Kutsch [The Don Quixote Society Inc]

I completely OPPOSE SF 376. The feeble setbacks are not based on property lines and substantially limiting for properties that may not yet have a dwelling on them. There is No consideration of conservation areas, eagle nests, or cemeteries. No consideration for impact on water systems or Karst topography. Nosetback required from towns or cities. This would impede development and growth opportunities and restrict rural areas. Nowhere does this bill consider the impact of height on Doppler radar systems. No clear consideration for setbacks from airports or the clear on impact for private airstrips for spraying.Counties have no control or ability to limit renewable energy systems nor to protect the goals of the county comprehensive plan. Counties also have no ability to set limits on the volume within a county; removing all say from the County makes one wonder why there should even BE a County. This is a major pivot from the entire role of local county leadership which is responsible for overseeing and managing essential services within the county including public safety, public health, infrastructure maintenance, land use planning, and more vital functions. Other Key Points that this bill severely lacks:Does not address ADLS lighting requirements or fire suppression systems.Has no consideration for potential property value impacts.Does not require road use agreement.Does not consider waste nor catastrophic failure.Does not address liability requirements.Does not include required maintenance or reporting.Essentially provides no county authority for where renewable energy systems are sited.Very limited language related to road repairs.I consider this proposed bill a danger to Iowa's wildlife, land and citizens.

03-03-2025

Evelyn Stuedemann

Please Vote NO on SF376. Our county supervisors have our best interests in mind and know the specific needs for our county. Iowa needs to continue to maintain Home Rule on this topic as allowed by Iowa Code. Please listen to your constituents and do not be swayed by big corporate interests and money.

03-03-2025

Raymond Stuedemann

As a lifelong Iowa resident and farmer (over 60 years farming), I oppose SF376 and request that you vote AGAINST SF376. I have been a steward for our land in Clinton county to protect it for generations to come allowing our family to help feed the world. Please do not take away the rights for our county leadership to define what ordinances are required in our county. We have had renewable energy companies stalking our community, harassing elderly landowners and blatantly lying to our community include social media threat campaigns. Please read Paradise Destoyed by Gregg Hubner as he has exactly defined their approach. Do not let this be governed at a state level. We need to protect the rich soils we have and the ag industry. The renewables have already proven they will come in and reap their profits and leave the mess for our residents. Look at Mechanicsville, Iowa and the land they have destroyed and the family and neighbors they have impacted. Look at the mess with blade dumping grounds in Iowa and Minnesota. Read the stories of elderly that have to deal with interference and are not able to watch the television. And do not overlook the health impacts. Annoyance is real and an actual medical term that should not be discounted. Please do not allow them to have their way with our states most precious resource our Iowa farm ground. Please oppose SF376.

03-03-2025

Brian Venema

Vote NO on SF 376. Decisions on siting renewable power facilities must be left up to the elected officials of each county. A statewide set of rules that does almost nothing to protect the residents, farmland, wildlife, natural resources, and overall quality of life of your Iowa residents is not wanted or needed.

03-03-2025

Ken Grimm [Grimm family farms]

Please do not let this bill SF376 pass. Iowa is an agricultural state. We have too many people trying to take that away from us. Iowa needs all the land that's able to be farmed and doesn't need someone with blind ideas trying to take control and dictate. Our county supervisors will take care of our county.

03-03-2025

Teresa Grimm [Grimm Family Farm]

I am writing in regards to Bill SF 376. Please do not pass this Bill! The decisions made on renewable electric power generating facilities (Wind Turbines) needs to be decided on by the County Board of Supervisors for each county, not just an overall State decision. It is not a "cookie cutter" situation. Each County has it's own unique situation and those in the County know best to listen to it's constituents and look at the situations presented. Our County needs to maintain theagricultural land we have, migratory birds who inhabit our County need to be protected, citizens health & wellbeing needs to be preserved. Only those Supervisors who live in our County knows what needs to be decided on, not someone who doesn't even live in our County and has no regard for how we will be affected.Kill Bill SF 376 !!

03-03-2025

Wendy Sperfslage [Zoning Commission/Farmer]

VOTE NO to SF 376 The renewable energy company showed up in Buchanan County with hat in hand telling us they could assist us to write our ordinance that would be renewable energy friendly. Friendly to them affirmative; taking control and quality of life from our citizens, again affirmative. Truth of production agriculture is we only got the land that the Good Lord has provided! Truth of large majority out of state power companies is they don't really understand production agriculture they just want the power. This bill is a shell of the regulations Local Zoning Commissions and Boards of Supervisors have in place or are putting in place. It rather sounds like they didn't like the answers they got at the county level now they've gone to the state and surprise the wording of the 'Bill' is similar to what was presented in Buchanan County. VOTE NO! Keep it Local Control

03-03-2025

Dallas Johnston

Vote no on SF376! Keep the control of our land at the local level. Take note of what the voters in this state and the entire country are saying. We are tired of big government taking away our rights and attempting to decide everything for us. We do not want more outdated, non productive, non profitable (for the tax payers) wind turbines and large scale solar farms destroying our land. Current elected officials that do not yet understand that the voters are through with the big green scam will have a clearer understanding come next election cycle. Its time for common sense to prevail and its happening.

03-03-2025

Beth Petersen [Self Employeed Farmer]

As a farm owner/operator I think it is very important to keep local control for the local people. They know better than anyone the interests, population density, topography, and environmental and conservations concerns of their county. Allowing private companies to run over the will of the local people is wrong. This bill only favors big corporate interests. Iowa elected need to continue to protect the private land owners rights over the private corporations! Senate file 376 needs to be dropped.

03-03-2025

Anita Ilg

I am asking that you vote NO on SF 376. Ordinances that profoundly affect each county's citizens & environment so differently need to stay at the local level. This bill tramples on the rights of We The People of the great State of Iowa and all the hard work that has been done to ensure honest, safe and common sense ordinances which are developing or have been developed at the county level. Please keep Iowa an inviting place to live where small government is the goal and local control over people's lives thrive by voting NO on this big government bill and gives outofstate companies their desires over ours. This bill, in my opinion, looks to have been written by these companies. Thank you for your time.

03-03-2025

Allys Schwartz

As a landowner and farmer, I urge you to vote against this bill. Counties should maintain local control, our elected supervisors and zoning boards have a better understanding of the individual county needs and productive farm ground should be saved for just that, farming! Solar and wind are not farming and do not provide a food source for the nation. Counties should be able to limit ground uses based on corn suitability ratings and the state should not say otherwise.

03-03-2025

Paul Grillo [homeowner]

I don't see benefits locally seems like all the money for this goes out of state. Also, concerned about the huge windmills what happens when their technology is outdated will they be rotting in the fields.It is my understanding we subsidize this form of electricity so I don't see where it will reduce my costs either in taxes or electricity cost.The are not totally environmentally friendly they kill birds, bats all which keep insect population down. The amount of concrete required for each and the nondisposable blades leave me questioning their effectiveness.

03-03-2025

Ronnie Boesch

Senators Klimesh, Bouselott & Knox: I thank you for your time and service to Iowa and this committee. I appreciate your time and thoughtful consideration of all Iowans comments and not just big industries.I am strongly opposed to SF376, which seeks to remove local governance by county board of supervisors. Iowa Code 331.301 designates local board of supervisors to manage these decisions by protecting the safety, and property of the residents. They are elected by county residents and are best positioned to understand the unique needs and concerns of their communities.Additionally, this bill is in direct conflict with Iowa Code 352.13, which are designed to protect Iowas conservation efforts, natural resources (including lakes, streams, wetlands, and wildlife), and farmland. Local governments are charged with safeguarding our state's agricultural economy and preventing the conversion of farmland to urban or nonagricultural uses. SF376 undermines this responsibility, threatening the sustainability of Iowas farms and food production.The Iowa Constitutions Section 38A also grants home rule to local municipalities, reinforcing the importance of local governance. Iowas founding documents intended to empower Iowans with the authority to govern themselves and protect their rights. SF376 is a direct violation of this principle, prioritizing outside interests, such as wind and solar companies, at the expense of local communities, property owners, and public safety.Furthermore, the bill disregards the negative economic and social impacts on rural communities. The proliferation of wind turbinesover 6,500 already installed in Iowahas already resulted in significant land loss, with each turbine removing 12 acres of farmland, that is, over 6,500 acres of farmland lost. The construction, maintenance, and road damage associated with Industrial Wind Projects further undermine local resources and the economic stability of rural areas. Local governments will have to bear these costs with this bill. This bill brings the already heavily subsidized industry another way to circumvent paying out, but rather increasing their profits with our tax dollars.I have not gone into the many different conservation or safety aspects, suffice it to say there are many from ice throws, lightning strikes, fires, or other health issues. The setbacks proposed in the bill are dangerous and create many unsafe situations for residents and wildlife as well. Our crop dusters are put at safety risks, non participating property owners will have economic loss due to an increase in the costs of spraying. The loss of bats, which provide natural pest control, will lead to increased pesticide use. So more money costs for land owners and potential water contamination. The bill has too many downsides to contend with, let alone the lost tourism and other negative economic impacts to Iowa.This bill is a threat to property rights and local control. The flag of Iowa reminds us, Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Maintain. I urge the Committee to respect Iowans rights and vote no on SF376.Thank you for your time and consideration.

03-03-2025

Beth Carlson

Farmers are Gods stewards of the land that produces food for the nation and beyond. Each county is unique. Government needs to remain by the people for the people. Hear the voice of the people, the residents of each county, for they are uniquely positioned to know what is best for their livelihood and wellbeing. Vote NO to SF376.

03-03-2025

Mark Nelson [Woodbury County Supervisor ]

I got into local politics because I believe the best government is the smallest and most accessible to the governed. As a very conservative Republican our duty is to never increase the size of Government and to always look for ways to reduce or eliminate it. This bill not only increases the size and scope of government but it also supersedes the tax payers voice, which is their vote. There has been no issue, in the history of Woodbury County, that has garnered so much attention, involvement, and activism from constituents. The largest petition ever received in county history demanded setbacks be changed. The largest attended meetings in history reaffirmed their signatures. Residents sent a clear message to the board of Supervisors on how they want wind and solar regulated in Woodbury County. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Farmers, Ruaral dwellers, City dwellers, all gave their input and we responded accordingly. Even siting language direct from Wind Turbine Manufactorer Safety Data Sheets to set our ordinance. Why should people from another county, another legislative district, from across the state, supersede our resident's voices? How is that in any way conservative or small government? I urge the public to dig into Senator Klimesh's campaign contributions. Lot's of donations from green energy companies. Is this what public policy has come to? Companies buy a Senator who proposes legislation that directly goes against constituents and the party platform he belongs to but fulfills the desires of outofstate corporations? Vote NO on this bill. Support voter's voices. Strengthen local government. Shrink big government.

03-03-2025

Lindsey Burken

Oppose SF376 I respectfully ask that you vote no on this bill. Republicans are supposed to support small government and local control . This is the complete opposite. County supervisors elected by the people should be making these decisions.

03-03-2025

Robin Krogman

Please OPPOSE SF 376. Keep our government small and leave jurisdiction over renewable electric power generating facilities to the counties. SF376 undermines local governance and property rights. This would give the large renewable energy outfits another way to be dishonest.

03-03-2025

Lindsey Burken

03-03-2025

Jeanne Jackson

I absolutely do not approve of this bill SF376. We want local control. This bill is not for any local control. Why do you think so many counties oppose all turbines on our private properties. We want to stay an agricultural county!

03-03-2025

Matthew Ung [Woodbury County]

As a Woodbury County Supervisor, I am strongly opposed to this bill. Woodbury County has been through hundreds of hours of discussion from our constituents at board meetings, town hall meetings, and through direct communication, and has enacted ordinances and amendments that overwhelming align with what our constituents want in this regard. To force us return to our constituents and tell them the state has nullified their voices will not go over well. This is a topic that every county can and should handle differently, as each county has their own goals and most importantly their own population density. When counties enacted ordinances and rules, unfortunately there was not clarity on some issues from the state. However, now that rules and issues have generally settled, it would be a mistake to introduce laws that upend the local government processes that the state already forced to happen out of necessity. Thanks for listening.

03-03-2025

Michelle Braswell

Oppose SF 376. A county has the right to perform any function it deems appropriate to protect and preserve the rights, privileges, and property of residents and to promote peace, safety, health, welfare, comfort, and convenience of its residents. Referencing Iowa code 331.301

03-03-2025

Rachel Shoumaker

This bill needs to be put to rest and voted against. Woodbury county just showed its opinion with substantial support to keep wind energy out of our county. State should not be taking over local power on issues like this. Keep turbines out!

03-03-2025

Andrew Schroeder

I respectively request that SF 376 not be passed out of committee. Decisions that affect the local landscape of our communities should be made by our local elected officials who are accountable to local residents needs. Counties should be able to decide what is best for their own counties when it comes to zoning industrial wind farms.

03-03-2025

Cala McGregor

Please oppose SF 376. This legislation takes away the right for local authorities to make the best decision for their local area. Our soils, topography, water levels, water sources, farm size and communities are all diverse. Stating that we should have one uniform system across such a diverse landscape is wrong for Iowans. Not to mention that when reviewing ordinances throughout the state, you will find nearly half already have much stricter ordinance than what has been proposed, especially with battery storage and solar. This bill is a strong overreach of government and goes against what the majority of constituent have already made law. Local Control should be maintained. Vote NO and OPPOSE SF 376.

03-03-2025

Carrie Jones

This bill flies in the face of everything Iowa stands for with regard to property rights and Iowa's statutory Home Rule. It demolishes the ability for the citizens of Iowa to have any say or input whatsoever into land use regulations on their own property for the direct benefit of forprofit and highly subsidized energy companies. The whole purpose of Boards of Supervisors, Planning and Zoning, and Boards of Adjustment are to take into account the unique sets of circumstances in each county to make the best decisions for the health, safety, and welfare for the citizens of the county in which they live. Allowing some faceless unelected bureaucrats in Des Moines (which I thought Republicans abhorred) dictate land use policy statewide without any concern for individual rights and local control is antithetical to responsible governance. This bill needs to be killed and never see the light of day again.

03-03-2025

Diane Wagner

This comment is to register a plea against SF376 which would override local decisionmaking and local control. Keep local boards and committees in governance over local property & land.Also, Eminent domain should not be used in the case of a forprofit project.

03-03-2025

Anthony Burken

AGAINST SF 376. This bill would empower energy companies to abuse the Iowa Taxpayer. These decisions should be made at the local level by our county supervisors due to the differing geographical conditions of our state. This isnt a one size fits all issue. NO TO SF 376

03-03-2025

Michael Urban

This bill is completely irresponsible as it basically gives free reign to wind energy companies to place wind turbines wherever they want. Furthermore, it strips ALL local control away from counties to decide what is best for their future. It is difficult for me to even conceive of the idea that a Republican controlled legislature would even consider passing a bill like this that strips local government of all control over wind turbine placement and puts it in the hands of big government.Please vote NO on SF 376

03-03-2025

Donna Robinson

As a recently retired Montgomery County supervisor, I understand the importance of local control. This decision should be made locally, not at the state level. I had numerous calls and emails opposing wind turbines and asking for restrictive setbacks to protect our farms and properties. Montgomery county residents overall have been very clear: they are opposed to wind turbines. Our local elected officials are more aware of what's right for their constituents and should be making these decisions along with the planning and zoning board. NO to SF 376. Please do not let this pass and take away more local control.

03-03-2025

Candice Brandau Larson

Vote NO on SF 376.Home Rule should have precedent here as each County has different needs. Floyd County has karst topography. The weight of wind turbines would have detrimental affect on our land structure and the sink holes are direct routes to our water. BESS and solar could contaminate our wells and turbines could destroy them. Let each county use their own discretion in what is good for their citizens and communities.

03-03-2025

James Jorgensen

I am not in favor of sf376. Control needs to be in the hands of counties. The setbacks to my understanding are not acceptable. 50 feet is not acceptable. This is a really big deal for those of us making a living and raising gain rural Iowa. Once this is done it cant be undone . Once turbines are in place its forever an issue. Please dont support sf376 Thankyou for your consideration

03-03-2025

David Fry

We the people of Woodbury want the power to stay at the local level. The reason it is the way it is now is sometimes the only way Des Moines is going to hear us! I appreciate my Woodbury County Board of Supervisors and they listen to their constituents. I say absolutely not to SF 376.David Fry, Bronson Ia.

03-03-2025

Floyd Marx

I am writing to oppose SF 376.. As a life long farmer, we need to save this good farmland to produce food for the long term not industrial turbines and transmission lines for the short term sending the electricity to who knows where. Western Iowa is far different than Eastern Iowa and every zoning decision needs to stay with the local countys not the State of Iowa. After traveling most of the roads in Clinton and Jackson countys and seeing thousands of yellow signs saying No Industrial Turbines and not one that says yes!Thank you!Floyd MarxBryant, Iowa

03-03-2025

Barb Clayton

I am opposed to SF376. Removing local control from counties and amassing power in DesMoines is tyrannical. Every county in Iowa is different, a one size fits all zoning policy must not be force upon us. Vote no on SF376.

03-03-2025

Gwenn Rickertsen

Oppose SF 376. This bill takes all the power away from local officials to make decisions. There is far too many differences in population, topography, and environmental concerns between the counties to create a one size fits all bill. We are an agricultural state and should not be bending to power companies, but instead looking to preserve our land for future generations to farm. The setbacks in this bill are not adequate to protect the citizens of Iowa. Please do not move this bill forward.

03-03-2025

Lana Griswold

I strongly oppose SF376 and ask our senators to vote NO against this bill. As a farm wife I feel we need to protect our precious farm ground for future generations. Leave the decisions to the local government. VOTE No!!!

03-03-2025

Brent Griswold

I strongly oppose SF376 and ask our senators to vote NO against this bill. As a farmer we need to protect our precious farmground for future generations. We feed the world! Leave the decisions to the local government. Let the bill DIE!! No SF376!!

03-03-2025

Francine Ide

It is imperative for county governments to retain authority on this issue. Each county should be able to carefully weigh the interests of their community to outline an ordinance that best meets the needs of their residents. Iowa Code 352.1 states: It is the intent of the general assembly to provide local citizens and local governments the means by which agricultural land may be protected from nonagricultural development pressures." This bill is a flagrant and frightening disregard for our Code. Vote NO.

03-03-2025

Kristine Pfab

I strongly oppose F 376. Decisions regarding zoning, siting, setbacks, etc., of industrial Wind and Solar farms belong to the Boards of Supervisors and Zoning Commissions after input by public hearings. They do not belong at the State level. This legislation sounds like it was written by NextEra and other corporate interests.

03-03-2025

Mery Kies

I oppose SF 376. I respectfully request a NO vote in order not to take away local control. Each Iowa county has different interests and local board of supervisors and zoning commissions work hard to best handle issues such as wind energy and solar via local ordinances. This one size fits all approach will not benefit the State.

03-03-2025

Cindy Taylor

Vote NO to SF 376. Wind energy placement is best determined by local government.As a landowner in Union County, IA we fought hard to protect our land. Let's keep it in the voter's and county government's hands. Thank you!

03-03-2025

Amanda Rickertsen

Oppose SF376. Kill the bill. We are an agricultural state and should be left that way. There are many differences between one county to another they each county should make their own decisions on green energy (which is not green at all).

03-03-2025

MARC RICKERTSEN RICKERTSEN got it ??

DO NOT ALLOW THESE TURBINES OR SOLAR SYSTENS TO SET UP IN IOWA !! THEIR NOTHING BUT A QUICK GRAB BY GREEDY POWER COMPANIES TO FILL THEIR POCKETS WITH STRESSED OU FINANCIALLY STRAPPED LOCALS THAT ARE HAVING TOUGH TIMES ALREADY WITH OUT HAVING TO HAVE THESE POS FUTURE PILES OF CRAP LAYING AROUND OUR ONCE PRISTINE FARM LAND !! ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY WHO VOTES FOR THESE SHIYTSTER OPERATIONS WILL BE HAUNTED BY THIS TO THE COMPLETION OF YOUR SO CALLED "KAREERS" !!

03-03-2025

Shelle Baldwin

Im am adamantly opposed to bill SF 376. We voted on our local officials to have our best interests at heart and to listen to the residents of our county. NOT someone that does not have a vested interest here. Those wind turbines are a huge monument to stupidly. Once they install them on your property its up to the landowner to deal with them when they decommission them and that is a very huge problem at that point!! I have heard many very negative things about them from people that have them on their properties and surrounding their homes. They do not like them or want them but there they are, unfortunately!! We do not want them in Woodbury County!!

03-03-2025

Pamela Lloyd

We the people vote you in at all levels but you are not listening to what the people want is the reason you are even pushing for this legislation.Leave this to the local communities and their county representatives. Vote NO on SF376

03-03-2025

Daniel Hair [Woodbury County Preservation]

Vote NO on this ridiculous bill. Its like Groundhog Day all over again. This bill was killed in subcommittee last year. Who is the repeat offender that will be voted out of office? We will not tolerate the state taking away our local control for the county in which we reside. Giant wind turbines are DONE in this state. .they have RUINED rural Iowa. DO NOT advance this bill or face a firing campaign for your senate seat.

03-03-2025

William Honeyman

I am writing to strongly encourage you to vote "NO" on Senate File 376 An Act relating to the siting and operation of renewable electric power generating facilities. This bill should not advance out of committee.I do not think that it is wise to take authority from the local government at the county level. The counties of the State should decide (rather, the people who live within the counties) on whether these projects should be allowed, and decide on the setback requirements, quantity of structures, height, and permitting cost, at a minimum. If the people of a county decide they do not want renewable energy in their county, they should have the ability to make that decision.This proposed legislation does nothing but give utility companies free rein over the entire state of Iowa to build as many wind and solar projects as they wish, wherever they wish, and exactly how they wish. It hurts the Iowans who are living in the rural community, who, if this is passed, will get to live next to giant wind turbines or vast solar farms. The only people in the county in which I live that are remotely interested in these kinds of renewable energy projects are those that own land, but do not live in or near the county. Please allow the people to make informed decisions on how their land is used, not utility companies.

03-03-2025

Austin Hayek [Webster County Supervisor]

This bill goes completely against the Iowa Constitution Article III section 39A as it relates to county home rule. As a member of the board of supervisors its the purpose of the board to determine local affairs and government. As an elected official it is our role to set the direction of the community's government. We are called to address "how land in the community is to be used in the future" (ISU ExtensionPlanning and Zoning Fact Sheet). We have established our longterm goals and objectives for land development with direct input from the residents of the county. By allowing this bill to pass, the general assembly takes away the right of all 99 counties to properly plan for their counties and could have dire consequences on planning within each county. I would urge members to vote NO on this bill, its poorly written and strips away control from local elected bodies to properly execute their duties and represent their constituents. This bill fails to address the concerns of the residents of Iowa and fails to give authority where it belongs for development, locally. Iowa code 352.1 states "The general assembly recognizes the importance of preserving the state's finite supply of agricultural land. Conversion of farmland to urban development, and other nonfarm uses, reduces future food production capabilities and may ultimately undermine agriculture as a major economic activity in Iowa". I would assume that at the time this was written the general assembly was concerned about how to protect Iowa Farmland as in the very next paragraph "It is the intent of the general assembly to provide local citizens and local governments the means by which agricultural land may be protected from nonagricultural development pressures". The key to this section was all about local control of land development with a mechanism for engaging dialog between elected officials and residents. In 2022 roughly 22% of Iowa's economic output came from agriculture, that being said, the best drivers of this development come from local boards and commissions. (suppertfarmers.com)Please vote no and protect local control.

03-03-2025

Adam Kutsch

I strongly oppose SF 376. Counties should maintain local control, our elected supervisors have the residents vote and are elected because they choose to listen and honor the concerns, opinions, and suggestions of their constituents. Local government is there for a reason. Let them do their job and respect their role within our judicial system. Thank you for your service and for your consideration.

03-04-2025

Roger Wilcox

Please do not sacrifice our beautiful landscape where we live for a few to profit who do not live here. Our quality of life should not be traded for someone elses greed. Please let us decide what is best for ourselves. Vote no on SF376.

03-04-2025

Mary Watkin

Vote NOIowa Code 352.1 states: It is the intent of the general assembly to provide local citizens and local governments the means by which agricultural land may be protected from nonagricultural development pressures." This bill is a flagrant and frightening disregard for our Code. Vote NO.

03-04-2025

Aaron Janssen

I am strongly opposed to SF376. For the second year in a row, Rep. Klimesh has showed his cards and bends at the knee to his handlers who have donated generously to his campaign. Counties should have the ability to write their own ordinances that are tailored to the needs of their county. Passing this bill would be trampling on the rights of every citizen in every county in the state of Iowa.

03-04-2025

Salina Chesnut

It is imperative for county governments to retain authority on this issue. Each county should be able to carefully weigh the interests of their community to outline an ordinance that best meets the needs of their residents.Iowa Code 352.1 states: It is the intent of the general assembly to provide local citizens and local governments the means by which agricultural land may be protected from nonagricultural development pressures."This bill is a flagrant and frightening disregard for our Code. Vote NO.

03-04-2025

Kendra Campbell

Vote NO on SF376! Local counties should be able to make decisions that impact the communities they serve. Not the state government who isnt here. Woodbury County is so beautiful without the ugly eyesores that truthfully only benefit people who dont live here. Weve fought hard and made our voices heard we dont want them here. Our local authority listens but how can the state do the same with 99 counties?! Keep county decisions at county level.

03-04-2025

Jerry Rickertsen

Oppose SF 376. I am a 3rd generation farmer who operates a grain and livestock operation with my son. Way too much of prime Iowa farm ground is being used for industrial turbines and solar projects. This type of energy is unreliable, inefficient, and expensive. This bill takes away the rights of supervisors in counties to make decisions that best meets their citizens needs. In addition the setbacks are inadequate and do not include conservation areas, private air strips, cemeteries etc. I hope my grandchildren will join our farming operation, but I am concerned that this loss of prime ground will certainly make that more difficult. Please do not move this bill forward.

03-04-2025

Erin George

As a current County Supervisor, in Clinton County, I do not support SF376. It is important to maintain local control for Iowas counties. There is no one size fits all that would adequately apply to all counties. We have differing populations, landscape, bedrock and wildlife patterns, just to name a few. It is important to maintain local control for local issues, in order to give a voice to the people of our counties.

03-04-2025

Daphne Willwerth

Please vote against SF 376.We the people of our communities should be able to maintain local control. The citizens closest to the issues understand better than legislators at the state level what should or should not occur at the local level.We can provide input to our local Boards of Supervisors in order to make the necessary decisions.Thank you.

03-04-2025

Jillian Ortner

Woodbury co resident, here, and I oppose this bill. Living in a county without wind turbines, is pretty great. While we travel around, drive past, and speak to residents in counties with wind turbines, we see how fortunate we are to be without wind turbines. When you learn more about the ecological impact of wind turbine production, assembly, logistics of moving them, impact of soils and geology, you start to see theyre not the environmental blessing theyre painted to be. But beyond that, approving this bill would mean people who dont live in these areas would have more of a say over how we manage our counties, our rural communities, our farms, our infrastructure. Everyone wants something by that wont detrimentally effect them, but will effect someone else. Essentially the benefit of a fresh garbage dump across town vs in your own back yard. We know in Iowa, there are more voters in the counties that dont have much room for wind turbines, but the votes in those areas shouldnt control how the counties themselves vote on wind turbines. If Des Moines wants wind turbines, they can have them, but Woodbury county shouldnt have to. Keep this a county decision.

03-04-2025

Heather Stancil [Madison County Supervisor ]

I OPPOSE this bill. The people alone, through their locally elected officials, should determine what is best for their city & county development and planning. Our residents fought long and hard to get folks elected who represent their interests when it comes to industrial renewable energy. They alone should have the right to determine the local development of this, not Des Moines. SF376 strips local control powers in favor of well funded corporate interests. VOTE NO.

03-04-2025

Brian Mullenbach [Linn County Resident]

The days of needing to have long distance high voltage transmission lines is over. Micronuclear reactor technology is the way of the future and being deployed in Haskell County, Texas. Please kill this bill and let's transition the topic to deploying Micronuclear reactors in Iowa.

03-04-2025

TAMMY BAIER

I oppose the bill SF376. It goes against all the constitutional rights this country is built on. It takes away all rights for the locally voted in supervisors to control the income from taxes, control the landscape and future health of their counties. And it's the mission of supervisors to care for their local county and this bill strips those rights away and give it to greedy out of county, out of state or even out of country interests to take over our state! And get rich off our land! It needs to be stopped!

03-04-2025

Debra Yates

I oppose the siting of solar and wind being removed from local control. As a rural resident who has been impacted by the construction of an industrial solar project I have learned the following:1. Rural residents are subjected to the will of those whose lives will not be disturbed or impacted by construction of these projects.2. By consolidating siting with one authority, it will make it that much easier for corporations and lobbyist to influence approval.3. I myself, and most other ordinary citizens do not know how/who/where to voice their disapproval. If approval is moved to state level it is that much further and unknown to residents.4. Oversight, during construction and following, who will "police" these projects. Construction, safety, financial responsibility? I have personally witnessed things such as construction delivery routes being agreed to in writing only to hear at our local city council meeting that the project manager cannot make a truck use a certain route. No accountability to the local residents.My comments are made based on what I have personally experenced the last 4 years.

03-04-2025

Bryan Mesz

I believe we need to let each county decide on their own regulations for renewable energy requirements. It gives the people a voice that is better heard by their government representatives that they elected. Let our democracy work the way it should.

03-04-2025

Matthew Faith

I do not believe that the state should hold the power when it comes to windmills. Midamerican has been trying to push windmills on Woodbury county for sometime now and thanks to our public officials here they have warded off the windmills. Midamerican has also built an electric vehicle charger here in moville and I have not seen one person use it ever. Windmills are unsightly and should not be built with taxpayers money or frankly at all. Power bills go up regardless of how many windmills are built. I oppose this bill

03-04-2025

Tim Sheehan

The Counties that want these have these. The ones that don't want them have done incredible amounts of research in defeating as much as possible the windtower industry. It's rather arrogant to attempt to push through legislation that subvert Home Rule. Vote NO!