ESTHERVILLE, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Emmet County officials are debating whether to seek a second legal opinion on a proposed settlement with Chicago-based Invenergy, the largest private wind developer in North America.
The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed after the Emmet County Board of Adjustment denied a permit for the Red Rock Energy Center wind farm last December.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Doug Hanson says agreeing to the settlement would give up too much.
County Attorney Melanie Summers Bauler warned that getting another legal review could take time and might jeopardize the settlement.
Supervisor Tim Schumacher says he understands the concerns but believes another review is worth considering. He volunteered to contact a Des Moines law firm the county has worked with before to see how quickly they could review the agreement.
The board will revisit the issue during its next meeting on Tuesday, November 25.
Invenergy has already secured approval for 67 turbines in Dickinson County.
