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The same issue is back before the council for a do-over Monday after the state’s City Development Board rejected the previous annexation plan.
While two new councilmen are on board — Steve Schmitt and Quentin Hart — supporters of the proposed 750-megawatt Elk Run Energy Station are confident city leaders will once again approve the development.
A support group known as Progress Cedar Valley is emphasizing the city’s role in considering zoning and annexation issues related to the plant, leaving public health and emissions regulation up to experts at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Opponents believe local and national attention focused on coal-burning power plants over the past year, including potential health risks and global warming, will lead elected officials to reach a different conclusion.
“It seems like there are just that many more people involved in the process, and I think the council members have been paying more attention,” said Don Shatzer with Community Energy Solutions, a group of residents that formed to oppose the project.
“We delivered 4,000 signatures to the council last year and there’s more and more people every time,” he added. “We are really looking for a positive experience Monday night.”
City officials, expecting another overflow crowd for the hearing, moved all other business on the regular council agenda up to 4 p.m. Plans call for the meeting to adjourn; council chambers will be cleared; and residents will be allowed to re-enter the room for the power plant hearing. That session will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Speakers will be given three minutes each to express their thoughts. Council members have already received stacks of written comments and e-mails on the subject.
Elk Run Energy Associates, an affiliate of LS Power, which is based in New Jersey, has asked the city to annex 348 acres along Newell Road. The property is east of the John Deere Donald Street operations and Tyson Fresh Meats. The request is to rezone about 260 acres for the $1.5 billion power plant, which would sell electricity wholesale to local and regional electric utilities, municipalities and cooperatives.

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