Floyd County will be the first in Iowa to host a new workshop to help local leaders make informed decisions about utility-scale renewable energy.

“Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Siting, Permitting, and Planning in Iowa” is intended for county supervisors, city council members, school board officials, planning and zoning commissioners, and others involved in land use and development decisions. The no-cost workshop is open to the public from 1 to 2:30 pm, Thursday, June 26, in the Zastrow Room of the Charles City Public Library.

Developed by ISU Extension and Outreach, the workshop is part of a new statewide educational series focused on helping local governments plan for wind, solar, and battery storage projects. Speakers from Iowa State University, the Center for Rural Affairs, the Great Plains Institute, and the Iowa Environmental Council will provide an overview of how renewable energy systems work, how they affect infrastructure and finances, and how local zoning ordinances can be shaped to reflect community needs. 

Case studies from other Iowa counties will highlight strategies for public engagement and balancing competing interests.

Luke Seaberg, community development specialist with ISU Extension, says “As more developers look to rural Iowa, communities are being asked to make long-term decisions about energy infrastructure. Our goal is to provide local officials with neutral, accurate, and timely information so they can move forward with confidence.”

The event is sponsored locally by the Charles City Area Development Corporation and the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce; developed with financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

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