CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Eastern Iowa Airport leaders said they’re worried about a possible Alliant Utility Plant that could be built less than five miles from the airport’s main runway.
The plant may be built in the area of 76th Avenue Southwest, just outside Fairfax.
Airport director Marty Lenss said they found out about this possible plant just last month.
Monday morning, the airport commission approved a nearly $70,000 study exploring the potential impacts on airport operations.
“It was quickly apparent to us that, you know, this is really not a compatible land use next to an airport,” said Marty Lenss, CID Airport Director.
With a possible new Alliant Utility plant being built just four miles away from the main runway, Lenss said he’s got a few concerns.
The plant’s stacks upwards of 250 feet high, are just one of his anxieties.
“The plumes that come off those stacks that cause certain weather environments will cause enhanced fog and ultimately shut the airport operation down,” Lenss said.
Lenss said CID has a category one approach system. Meaning pilots can’t land in lower visibility conditions.
“In addition to the plume with a tall stack like that, there is incredible upward air velocity at different temperatures than the surrounding air. That air is very turbulent, right? So another concern is, you know, if an aircraft…Could hit that turbulent air,” he said.
Lenss said another big concern is the third runway that’s been in the works for a while.
That runway would be less than two miles away from the plant at its shortest length.
“Today it’s planned at 7400 feet, which is just over a mile to the facility,” he said.
And he said if the roles were reversed, they wouldn’t consider putting an airport near a plant like this.
“The size and scale of what we are today, and that power plant, existed today. So we just flipped this scenario. We would abandon the site immediately,” Lenss said.
He said, while technically the plant could fit…
“The plume will be a problem. There’s no question in my mind that will be a problem,” Lenss said. “It still doesn’t make it a good idea.“
“We’ve worked so hard over the years as a Commission to make sure that our airport has plenty of room to continue to thrive and grow and be safe. And at the end of the day, you know, it really became a red line for us. We really believe that it’s the wrong place to put a power plant,” said Barry Boyer, CID Airport Commission Chairman.
Lenss said another big concern is if the plant gets built, it might actually impact the airport’s ability to compete for federal discretionary grants.
“You’re not maintaining your grant assurances. That’s a federal requirement of every grant we sign. It could very much jeopardize our ability to compete in federal discretionary grants, so it could dramatically change how we develop the airport going forward,” said Lenss.
In a statement, Alliant said, “We are in the early stages of site selection for a combined-cycle natural gas facility. Our site evaluation includes the Big Cedar Industrial Center in Fairfax as a possible location. This is a region we serve with the highest demand for energy and a historically strategic site for generation facilities.
This potential facility underscores Alliant Energy’s ongoing commitment to a balanced energy approach that delivers safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to customers through the integration of traditional and renewable energy resources. As part of our settlement in the last Iowa rate review, we have committed to keeping base rates stable until the end of the decade. This proposed facility does not hinder that commitment.
At this time, we are working with the cities of Fairfax and Cedar Rapids and reviewing the proposed facility’s compatibility with airport operations. We intend to work with the airport to provide necessary information and continue to seek their input as we do with any local stakeholders on generation location and potential site decisions. Our timeline remains fluid to ensure we can conduct proper conversations with local communities and stakeholders.”
Lenss said Alliant is planning to move forward with the Iowa Utilities Commission in October.
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