Letters to the Editor: No solar batteries here

The Maple River Solar team was thrilled to receive unanimous approval for our conditional use permit on March 26. TED Renewables first began the process of developing Maple River Solar in 2023, and it is exciting to take another big step towards seeing our project reach the next phase of development.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Board of Supervisors, Zoning Commission, and Board of Adjustments, as well as our participating landowners and supporters. Our team has genuinely enjoyed spending time in Cherokee County, and we look forward to a productive future here. Maple River Solar has been involved in many community activities. We've been a PIE partner at Cherokee Middle School, sponsored events at the county fair, participated in educational events, volunteered, made donations, and supported local businesses like the Cherokee Chronicle Times. Your community has shown us the best of small-town excellence.

There was recent confusion about the Maple River Solar project being potentially impacted by the recent moratorium on battery storage systems. Our project has never included battery storage in any of the design plans or discussions and will not have any battery applications. The new moratorium enacted by the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors has no impact on our projected construction and operation plans. 

Maple River Solar is a proposed 160-megawatt solar project that will generate clean, affordable energy and substantial local revenues for Cherokee County. The electricity generated at the Maple River Solar site will go directly onto the grid via transmission lines that are located near the array. That electricity is estimated to power 27,000 homes in a time where energy prices and demand are rising. The tax revenue generated by Maple River Solar will contribute to the continued excellence of area infrastructure, schools, and communities. For more information on Maple River Solar, please visit www.mapleriversolar.com.

Maple River Solar Project

Sermons Ala Carte

A big thank you to the Chronicle Times for all your support and ads for the Lenten Services at Memorial Presbyterian Church. We have such a wonderful community.

We want to thank the six Ministers who shared their messages this year, those who shared their musical talents  and the 17 churches that bought salads, bars and helped serve.

God has indeed blessed all of us.

Happy Easter to all of you.

Cherokee Ministerial Association and Sermons Ala Carte Committee

Response to solar battery ban

I enjoyed the mentioned piece as I waited at an office in Cherokee today. I've been associated with electrical power systems since the early 70s, and am only a visitor here at the moment. I've literally been around the world and US, but mostly west of Ohio in the US doing my work.

My immediate response to the article was recoil and some irritation. That feeling changed quickly, and I'd like speak somewhat in support of the current "ban on solar batteries.” Rather than scold or call anyone out on the term or strange concept being labeled as "solar batteries," I'll directly point out some useful and constructive aspects of what seems to be the actual situation, perhaps despite the presented description of it.

• The "ban" will be temporary. It may not specify an end date, but it will NOT be permanent (figuring out and settling on tine term might have been the most difficult aspect of writing the full terms and conditions).
• "Solar batteries" (banks of electro-chemical cells used to store electrical energy) are by no means necessary for solar electric power generation or the sale or purchase of that power.
• The "state of the art" in electrical storage cells or batteries is a steadily changing and improving "state", and better and better options continue to be discovered and developed for user/purchasers needing a wider array of options including flammability or toxicity concerns.
• Forcing a pause may be needed if there is progression toward a system which may have proven liabilities now seen, (after initial experiences elsewhere) as outweighing assets, speaking of technical issues. Consider the toxicity factors of cells using lead, or cadmium for example.
• Since we see these technical concerns everywhere (not even limited to "everywhere on earth”) it is VERY practical and probably wise to watch some of the fight from the stands, so-to-speak, and developing legal codes based on lessons learned from other's mistakes.
• Like wind power, solar-elecric power generation is practical and profitable, without such power storage storage mechanisms, right this instant.
• Those hoping to profit from such power need not stand-down from investing at this time, and in fact may recognize such caution in the community as a stabilizing factor for these projects which are not short overnighters.

Best wishes for all concerned parties in Cherokee County!

Gary Dering, Gig Harbor, Wash.

IFRA and the carbon pipeline

In her March 26 letter, Kathy Carter misrepresented IRFA's position on carbon capture, use, and sequestration.

We have consistently recognized that some landowners oppose a carbon pipeline and that it is their right to do so. But we will not stop pointing out that a supermajority of landowners support the project with voluntary easements.

On this issue, noise does not equate with numbers. Further, we will not stop pointing out that there are very real and substantial economic impacts at stake. States with carbon sequestration, like Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana and North Dakota, are seeing a massive wave of ethanol plant expansions.

One can oppose carbon sequestration, but one should not pretend there won't be negative impacts for Iowa farmers. Finally, we will not stop pointing out that this debate is not about private property rights.

Nearly all pipelines for natural gas, oil, gasoline, diesel and fertilizer are privately owned.

The legislation singles out carbon pipelines for restrictions and none of the others. Despite the rhetoric, the reality of the legislation has always been about preferences, not principles.

IRFA will continue to support a fair compromise that enhances landowner protections, reforms the permitting process to be more flexible and transparent, and provides a path forward for the projects that are vital to the future of ethanol and corn demand.

Monte Shaw, West Des Moines