CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Alliant Energy has submitted a 309-page air quality permit application for the Morgan Valley Natural Gas power plant, proposed for a site in Linn County near the Benton County line — less than two miles from some nearby homes — on the same day the American Lung Association gave Linn County a failing grade for air quality.
What the application shows
The permit application indicates the plant will rely entirely on fossil fuels and would be a significant source of greenhouse gases. Alliant Energy’s own figures show the proposed plant would expel emissions equivalent to adding more than 330,000 cars to Iowa’s roads — or nearly 1,000 cars per day — every year it operates. The application also states the facility is designed to meet all applicable state and federal public health and environmental standards.
Alliant Energy declined an on-camera interview but provided a written statement saying the permit “demonstrates the Morgan Valley facility is designed to meet all applicable public health and environmental requirements established by law.”
Resident and community group raise concerns
Abe Kellison of Fairfax, who lives less than two miles from the proposed plant site, is a member of the group Save Morgan Valley. He said the American Lung Association’s failing grade for Linn County heightens his concerns about the project.
“Why would we want a power plant when Linn County already gets a failing grade for air quality?” Kellison said…