How a Utility Commission Rule Preempts Local Zoning

Where: Iowa

What rule by the Iowa Utilities Board will preempt local zoning?

• A new definition for “facility”
• The new facility definition will include:
  •  “any solar, wind or storage generating plants or combinations of plants that have a total generating capacity of 25 MW (megawatts) or more”

What is the impact to local community?

• local zoning rules preempted
• no public hearings would be triggered before a certificate of necessity is issued
• expands eminent domain authority to more entities

NW Iowa | N’West Iowa counties mull proposed rule