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Tell the Linn County Board of Supervisors to Vote “NO” on their Solar Moratorium

Don’t let your local elected officials stop solar progress in Linn County. Just last month the Board approved the Coggon Solar Farm. Now they are reversing course and voting to STOP solar progress. 

4000+ Iowans in Linn County are supporting solar energy

Stopping solar progress is bad for Linn County. Stopping solar robs us of a chance for cleaner energy, a way to meet our climate goals and the millions in investment and revenue that solar farms would bring to our county. The Supervisors meet at 11 am Monday Morning. Act Now! Tell them NO on the Solar Moratorium

Iowa is Behind in Solar

We are one of the top producers of electricity from wind energy, but among the last in solar. 

Climate Emergency

Linn County leaders have declared climate emergencies – but we need action. Approving solar farms in the county is a real step towards creating clean energy.

Solar Energy Potential

Linn County recently approved the Coggon solar farm. Together with the proposed Duane Arnold Solar Farm, the two projects would generate 300 megawatts of clean energy.

21st Century Jobs

The proposed Duane Arnold solar farm in Linn County will create 200 jobs during construction

Frequently Asked Questions

Percentage of farmland used

Both projects, combined, would use less than 1% of Linn County farmland. That farmland is voluntarily leased to the projects by farmers, who are best suited to decide what is best for their land and families. 

Solar panels are solid

Solar panels are solid and sealed and cannot be penetrated by rainwater. In the same way the screens on the smartphones we carry with us all the time do not leak, solar panels do not leach. 

Removal of solar panels

At the end of the project the companies must remove all the panels and equipment and return the land to its original state. 

Solar panels are safe for the enviroment

As the Sierra Club states: Solar power “has no carbon emissions and NO other harmful toxic emissions, including mercury, lead and cadmium.”

Soil preservation

Proper soil management during the project contributes to agricultural sustainability. Farmers can resume planting crops after decommissioning if they choose.

Solar energy generated will power local homes

Power from both proposed Linn County solar farms will help power local Linn County residents. Coggon solar farm will flow to the Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative, and power from the Duane Arnold solar farm will serve Alliant customers in Iowa.

No taxpayer money needed

The construction of solar farms in Linn County is not funded by the government or taxpayers, but rather private companies making an investment in solar energy.  No local tax dollars will be used to build these projects.

Benefit to farm families

Many farmers who lease a portion of their land to solar companies are provided with financial security which allows them to continue to farm the rest of their land and keep the land in their family.

Protecting the land

The developers have plans to control erosion and runoff by adding vegetation around the panels, as well as beautify the site with natural buffers.  They’ve also set aside money to restore the land to the same or better condition it was in before, after the solar farm lease ends so the farmer can resume crop farming, if they wish.

Using existing infrastructure

The Duane Arnold Solar Farm will be built on an old nuclear energy facility that still has a functioning substation and transmission lines, which means that minimal new infrastructure will be required, resulting in lower costs and less disruptions for people living near the solar farm.

Our mission

Iowans are already benefiting from reliable, affordable and clean renewable energy, and we lead the nation in wind power. As solar energy generation grows in Iowa, the benefits of renewable energy can be shared by greater numbers of Iowans.

At Bright Future Iowa, we will help more Iowans understand the benefits these projects provide to our state, our communities and our farmers. Renewable energy is a safe source of revenue and economic growth.

 

A note from our chairman

Swati Dandekar
I’ve dedicated my life to service and helping the people of Iowa. From my early days as a school board member to my time as a Linn County area State Senator, I’ve always believed in the importance of a diverse, affordable, and clean energy system that supports Iowans.
Swati Dandekar
Chairman of Bright Future Iowa

Let’s tell our local elected officials to vote "NO" on their solar moratorium!

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