Lighting included in wind turbine ordinance proposal

John Van Nostrand, The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa
·1 min read

Apr. 24—Lighting on wind turbines in Union County to notify airplane pilots highlights the proposals for a revision to the county's wind turbine ordinance. It and other suggestions are part of a public hearing 6 p.m. Monday, April 29 at the courthouse.

The proposal includes having a sensor-based system to detect aircraft as they approach wind turbines. The lights on the turbines will be activated until not needed. The sensor system is not intended for commercial airplanes.

Another proposal to the ordinance includes an archaeological survey on new wind turbines in a one-mile radius of the tower's site. The survey is responsible on the person applying for the turbine permit.

If the owner of the turbine is no longer needing a turbine and is not paying property taxes on the turbine, the landowner the turbine is located will be responsible for property taxes for the turbine.

Union County has a suspension of all new wind turbine projects until July 12.