The Dickinson County board of adjustment voted this week to deny a permit to Invenergy for a wind farm just a few miles from East Lake Okoboji. That vote came after three nights of public hearings. Dozens showed up in full force to say why they didn’t want turbines near their homes. Supporters of the wind energy farm say they were stunned by the 3-1 vote against the project. Terril City Council member Austin Fairchild says the wind farm would bring benefits to the county.
County officials say Invenergy has 30 days to appeal the decision in court. Kris Van Kleet helped start the group Dickinson County Concerned Citizens to protest the project and had tears streaming down her face after the vote. She says the focus will now be on repairing relationships since many property owners signed up for the project, which included up to 80 turbines.
Two other wind energy projects have been proposed for the Iowa Great Lakes region, and Van Kleet says she will continue to fight against turbines there.
