Senior Environmental Specialist

Open house offers Morgan Valley Energy Center answers. Alliant reps meet with public, but Save Morgan Valley attendees dominate. * fern alling the Gazette * jul 31, 2026 updated 48 mins ago. The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. Since Alliant Energy first notified the public in late March of its plans to build a 720-megawatt natural-gas-fired electricity plant in unincorporated Linn County, residents have had questions. At previous meetings, attendees directed those questions at Alliant representatives, including senior community and public affairs specialist Ben Rogers. At the time, Rogers said he was just there to take notes. But Thursday, at two open-house sessions Alliant held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 405 hall, Alliant reps started sharing answers. "People have had questions, and we've wanted to answer them, but the applications weren't submitted yet," Rogers said. There are three permits Alliant needs for the Morgan Valley Energy Center to be built: one with the Iowa Utilities Commission confirming a need for the plant, one with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Linn County Public Health that confirms the plant meets regulatory requirements for air quality and one with Linn County to rezone the land in unincorporated Linn County south of Highway 30 near Linn Benton Road. Alliant had officially begun all three application processes when it submitted its rezoning application July 15. The articles in this timeline follow Alliant Energy's initial plans to build a natural gas-fired power plant - known as the Morgan Valley Ener... Unlike the public meeting Alliant was required to hold in March as part of its application with the Iowa Utilities Commission, Thursday's events were voluntary and meant to address some of the increasingly specific questions members of the public, including advocacy group Save Morgan Valley, have about the project. But despite the opportunity to talk to Alliant representatives about their questions, some Save Morgan Valley members said they remained critical of the plant. Questions and answers. Save Morgan Valley founding member Jon Lee attended the first open house session from noon to 1:30 p.m. and returned for the second one with additional questions. In an interview with the Gazette on Tuesday, Lee said he wanted to know what it would take for the company to consider installing selective catalytic reduction technology in the plant to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions. Lee said he planned to ask whether the company would conduct health impact and air quality studies to assess the facility's impact on nearby residents. Before he entered the second session, Lee said it was clear from the first session that the Alliant representatives had anticipated his questions. He said one representative interrupted a conversation Lee was having with an Alliant engineer to explain the process himself. "When I go in there, everyone knows my name already," Lee said. "It's like they're waiting for me." Jeff Hanson, director of environment and sustainability at Alliant, said selective catalytic reduction technology would not be used in the Morgan Valley Energy Center because of the way the plant will operate. The facility's three turbines will be simple-cycle turbines, as opposed to combined-cycle turbines. In combined-cycle turbines, the waste heat the turbines generate is directed to an external engine to produce additional energy. Simple-cycle turbines do not use the waste heat. Some questions for a Linn County Public Health staff and an Alliant Energy representative went unanswered at Wednesday's informational meeting Materials distributed by Alliant at the events said the simple cycle system is a better fit for the area's current energy needs, which are more for backup power and peak energy demand rather than the constant generation a combined cycle would be better suited for. Based on the amount of time the turbines would run - Hanson said the plant was permitted to run 40% or less of the year - and the type of turbine being used, Hanson said the selective catalytic reduction technology would ultimately be unable to deliver meaningful emissions reductions. As for air quality and health studies, Hanson pointed to the air quality impact assessment required for the permit Alliant is seeking from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Linn County Public Health. If the permit is approved, it means the departments found the company's plans were in line with federal and state standards that protect public health, Hanson said. "I've been asked a few times tonight, 'Well, are you doing air quality studies? Are you doing health impact studies?'" Hanson said. "That is a health impact study." Attendance. A spokesperson with Alliant estimated 75 people attended the morning session and around 50 attended the evening session. Save Morgan Valley held a press conference about the plant's water usage from 6 to 7:30 Thursday evening, overlapping with the evening session. Cindy Boland, who lives near Fairfax, was one of the estimated 50 people who attended the Thursday evening session. Boland, who is a member of Save Morgan Valley, said not only did she not want the plant built in its intended location near Linn Benton Road, she didn't want it built anywhere. "I don't think we should be building more natural gas plants," Boland said. "I think we should be using green energy." When asked how many members of the public who weren't affiliated with Save Morgan Valley attended the evening session, Boland said she recognized just about everybody in the room. She attributed the turnout to a lack of outreach on Alliant's part. "They're doing it so they can say they did it," Boland said. "But there's no public education happening here because there's no public here." Boland said Save Morgan Valley meetings generally drew 75 to 125 people, about the same number who attended the two Alliant information sessions Thursday. "When we talk to people about what it is, everybody's opposed," Boland said. "Nobody wants this." When asked if the event was likely to change public opinion on the plant, Rogers said its purpose was to help people understand the decisions being made. "Everyone has their own perspective," Rogers said. "Our job is to make sure everyone has the information." Linn County, Iowa Morgan Valley Energy Center permitting process Alliant Energy needs to complete three applications for county and state permission to build the Morgan Valley Energy Center: a petition for a certificate of public convenience, use and necessity from the Iowa Utilities Commission, a Prevention of Significant Deterioration permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and a rezoning application from the Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Once all three are complete, the project is approved.

Alliant Energy reaffirms 2026 outlook as data center growth supports demand. Alliant Energy reaffirmed its full-year 2026 earnings guidance after reporting slightly lower second-quarter earnings, as the regulated utility pointed to continued investment in infrastructure and accelerating electricity demand from large customers, including data centers. The company reported second-quarter GAAP earnings of $0.65 per diluted share, down from $0.68 a year earlier. Net income attributable to common shareholders slipped to $170 million from $174 million, while revenue increased to $971 million from $961 million in the prior-year period. Management maintained its 2026 ongoing earnings guidance of $3.36 to $3.46 per share, saying results are currently tracking in the upper half of that range. Chief Executive Lisa Barton said the company delivered another solid quarter and highlighted progress on three data center developments and energy resource investments, which it expects will support future earnings growth and economic development across its service territory. Alliant continues to forecast approximately 60% load growth by 2031, with management stating that expected demand from large customers remains on track to materialize this year. The utility has increasingly positioned itself to benefit from rising electricity consumption tied to AI and hyperscale data center development across the Midwest. Second-quarter earnings were supported by higher regulated revenue from an expanding rate base at its Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light subsidiaries, as well as stronger equity income from corporate venture investments and higher weather-normalized retail electricity and gas sales. Those gains were partly offset by higher operating and maintenance costs, increased depreciation and financing expenses, and unfavorable weather impacts on customer demand. For the first six months of 2026, GAAP earnings per share increased to $1.52 from $1.50 a year earlier. Excluding a one-time state tax apportionment benefit, ongoing earnings were $1.47 per share. Alliant Energy is investing heavily in generation, energy storage and grid infrastructure as regulated U.S. utilities prepare for a surge in electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing and broader electrification. The company serves more than 1 million electric customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com

Residents ask questions about proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center at open house. by Kaylee Wynne Thu, July 30, 2026 at 6:31 PM 00:00 02:05 CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Residents questioned Alliant Energy representatives Thursday about the need for a proposed natural gas plant in Linn County, as well as its potential environmental and health effects. Alliant hosted an open house on the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center. Rather than holding a formal presentation, the company set up tables where attendees could speak one-on-one with project representatives. The proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center is a 720-megawatt natural gas-fired generating facility planned for unincorporated Linn County, south of Highway 30 and east of Linn-Benton Road. One of the main questions focused on why Alliant selected the Morgan Valley site. "We looked at multiple sites... we look at where the site is relative to transmission lines, there are transmission lines near the property," an Alliant representative said. 00:00/02:05 Representatives said the site complies with Linn County requirements and would allow the facility to connect to existing transmission infrastructure. Residents also asked why the company believes the project is necessary. "We've got a growing demand from our customers, everything from industrial customers, commercial customers, residential customers," an Alliant representative said. Environmental and health concerns prompted some of the longest discussions at the open house. Residents asked what would happen if the plant exceeded its permitted emissions and whether those emissions would be independently monitored. Alliant representatives said emissions would be continuously monitored at the facility and reported to regulators. They said monitoring equipment would undergo annual accuracy testing and that state and county agencies could observe required stack tests. Representatives said any deviation from permit requirements would have to be reported to state and local regulators within 24 hours. Violations could result in fines, operational restrictions or other enforcement action. One resident asked whether the project could contribute to lung problems, delayed childhood development or pregnancy complications. "We're going through our process based on the health and welfare based standards that the government has established, we're doing studies based on decades of research, decades of technological advancements as far as modeling assessments and other ways of assessing impacts." an Alliant representative responded. Representatives said the project's air quality modeling considers decades of meteorological data, existing air quality measurements and emissions from nearby permitted facilities. They said the analysis also examines potential effects on vegetation and crops. The project must demonstrate compliance with state and federal standards before an air permit can be issued. Display boards at the open house also outlined the economic impact Alliant expects the project to have. The company estimates construction would create about 200 jobs. More than 40 long-term operations and maintenance positions would remain after the facility opens. Alliant also projects the plant would generate millions of dollars in property tax revenue for Linn County, local school districts and other taxing entities. Alliant said in a statement: "Morgan Valley Energy Center is proposed to help meet growing energy demand while maintaining the reliable electric service its customers depend on every day. Because CBS 2 Iowa is required to heave enough generation capacity, plus reserve resources, planning for future energy needs is a critical part of its responsibility. The purpose of today's open house is to provide information, answer questions and connect community members with subject matter experts who can discuss the project, environmental commitments and regulatory review process in greater detail. CBS 2 Iowa appreciate everyone who attended and participated in the discussion. An engaged community is an important part of the process, and CBS 2 Iowa is committed to listening, sharing information and continuing the conversation as the project moves forward." The project remains under review by several regulatory agencies. Alliant has filed an application for a generating certificate with the Iowa Utilities Commission, a rezoning application with Linn County and air permit materials with Linn County Public Health. The project must receive approval through each process before construction can begin. SPONSORED CONTENT MORE TO EXPLORE