Commission puts Morgan Valley power plant rezoning on hold

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — After hours of hearing from more than 40 speakers, along with presentations by staff and Alliant Energy representatives, the Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission decided it needed more information to assess Alliant’s rezoning request for its proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center.

More than 150 people attended the commission’s meeting Sept. 28, 2026, at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center to discuss rezoning property at 12201 16th Ave. SW, in rural Cedar Rapids, currently owned by Boland Farms, LTD, from Agricultural (AG) to Exclusive Use-2 (EU-2) for Alliant’s gas-fired power plant.

The 720 megawatt plant would be built on 55 acres, now part of a 160-acre plot of high quality farmland, west of Cedar Rapids, near the corner of Highway 30 and the Linn-Benton Road.

Related: Morgan Valley advocates voice concerns to Cedar Rapids City Council

“The case is a bit different from any other case we’ve had before,” said Charlie Nichols, Linn County’s planning and development director.

Nichols noted that the proposal met Linn County’s comprehensive plan for 14 attributes, but failed on 12 goals, such as proactively addressing climate change. Still, he said staff recommended approval of the rezoning.

Speakers during two hours of the public hearing — part of the 4 1/2 hour meeting — took issue with air pollution that will be generated by the plant, questioned where the plant will receive its water, how wastewater will be treated and traffic safety, among other concerns.

Some of those providing testimony are members of the grassroots Save Morgan Valley, and live near the proposed site, who cited Iowa’s cancer rates among the worst nationwide and Linn County receiving a recent “F” grade on its air quality.

A handful of union and economic development representatives voiced support for the power plant, as Alliant touted more than 300 jobs during construction and 10 to 12 full-time positions once the plant is operational, as soon as 2030.

“Alliant is doing what’s in their best interests,” said Christine Hodel, who lives in northwest Cedar Rapids. “That doesn’t mean it’s in our best interests.”

Alliant officials said the new power plant is needed, but didn’t point to any particular cases, while several speakers suggested the power generation is for forthcoming data centers.

One major point of contention came as Nichols said the plant is not within 2.25 miles of any incorporated city — a setback requirement — even though Atkins is within that range.

The difference, he said, is that Atkins is in Benton County, and only Linn County communities should be considered under the requirement, even as the volunteer Atkins Fire Department would have to serve the new power plant.

Atkins, Fairfax and Benton County all have submitted formal opposition to the proposal.

Several speakers asked the commission to consider future generations.

“Construction lasts a few years,” said Jon Lee, one of the leaders of Save Morgan Valley. “This (power plant) will last for decades.”

A motion to deny the rezoning request failed on a 4-3 vote, with commission members Tina DuBois, Brock Grenis and Joseph Sperfslage voting to deny the request.

Member Donald Eddy then moved to seek additional information from Alliant on a long list of questions, including noise level studies, air quality, water and wastewater concerns and more.

The motion passed 5-2, with Eddy, Grenis, Griffin Kuntz, Mike Sadler II, and Samuel Kratz voting in favor and DuBois and Sperfslage opposed.

A special meeting will be held sometime before the Linn County Supervisors Oct. 20 meeting, likely the week of Oct. 12.

The commission serves as an advisory board to the supervisors, who will make the final determination on the rezoning, though Nichols noted that the Iowa Utilities Commission can override the county’s decision.

More: See photos from a Save Morgan Valley demonstration outside of Alliant’s headquarters