Linn County Approves Updated Utility-Scale Wind Projects Ordinance

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved an updated ordinance for utility-scale wind projects. 

Changes in the updated ordinance include:

• Minimum setbacks of two times the height of the wind turbine
• Setting the allowable noise level at the property line of 55 dBa and ensuring the level is checked and verified every five years
• Establishing debris clean-up requirements
• Specifying maintenance procedures for grounding equipment
• Encouraging the use of local labor in construction/installation of renewable energy projects

In addition to public comment opportunities, residents were invited to read a draft of the proposed ordinance amendments on the Linn County website and submit their feedback via an online form. The feedback was presented alongside the proposed changes to the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors. 

Linn County Supervisor Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt says Linn County’s updated utility-scale wind ordinance is balanced, holds corporations liable if things go wrong, and takes into consideration the quality of life for the people of Linn County. She says by participating in site visits, and most importantly listening to the people of Linn County, they were able to update the ordinance to balance the viewpoints of the community. 

The updated ordinance goes into effect once it’s published in the Gazette, which is expected to happen within the next week.