NOTE: Save Morgan Valley will host a free presentation by environmental experts from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Ushers Ferry, 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE to address water, environment and health issues of data centers and power plants.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Advocates with the grassroots Save Morgan Valley shared facts about Alliant Energy’s proposed gas-fired power plant during a public forum, as some shared their emotions, as well.
“I’m here to speak for those who have no voice,” said Sonja Hadenfeldt, a raptor rehabilitator who became emotional sharing her concerns about not only the health of people, but the future of birds and other wildlife if the 720 mega-watt Morgan Valley Energy Center is built near the corner of Highway 30 and the Linn-Benton Road.
Related: Morgan Valley advocates voice concerns to Cedar Rapids City Council
Hadenfeldt, who lives in Benton County, just 1.5 miles from the proposed site, was one of several speakers during the town hall meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, attended by more than 40 people in Whipple Auditorium at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.
Jessica Petersen, a sixth-generation family operator of Bloomsbury Farm, a popular agri-tourism site in Atkins, said that Atkins and Benton County have been left out of the discussion, even though they will be affected by Alliant’s decision as much as neighboring Linn County.
Cindy Boland gestures as she speaks during the Morgan Valley town hall Aug. 4, 2026. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Volunteer Atkins firefighters will be expected to respond to emergencies at the plant, speakers noted.
Petersen cited the $60,000 per acre that Alliant is said to be offering landowners in the area, more than four times the going rate of $13,513, with high prices driving up the cost of farmland in the area, and driving out potential future farmers.
The proposed site is located on 160 acres of prime farmland, she said, adding that Iowa already loses an average of 51,700 acres of farmland each year.
Jane Scheer, whose family has a Benton County heritage farm near the site, said the 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide that could be emitted from the plant is the equivalent of emissions from 330,000 cars annually.
The American Lung Association’s State of the Air report recently gave Linn County failing grades for unhealthy levels of air pollution, with an “F” for high ozone days and a “D” for particle pollution.
Everyone living within a 10-mile impact zone of the plant, including those in Cedar Rapids, will face higher risks of asthma, respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, Scheer said, adding that water use is another concern.
Alliant representatives, who held their own open house last week, have said the plant is “designed to meet all applicable public health and environmental requirements established by law.”
Jon Lee speaks at the forum at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Even as Morgan Valley advocates question if the plant is being built with new data centers in mind, Alliant representatives have said energy generation is not built for specific customers.
A short film was shown during Tuesday’s town hall, which highlighted miles upon miles of new data center construction in Cedar Rapids, where corn fields were located just over a year ago. Members of the audience were able to ask questions after the presentation.
Attendees were encouraged to attend meetings of the Linn County Board of Supervisors, Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and the next Linn County Planning & Zoning meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, both at the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St. SW.
Jon Lee, who lives less than a mile from the proposed plant, encouraged others to speak up at meetings, including Cedar Rapids City Council meetings, and to send concerns to Linn County and Cedar Rapids elected officials, as well as comments to the Iowa Utilities Commission.
Save Morgan Valley is encouraging local governments and residents to engage directly in the regulatory process and ensure community concerns are part of the public record by submitting opposition to the plant to the Iowa Utilities Commission at EFS.iowa.gov under docket number GCU-2026-0002.
More information, upcoming events, petition opportunities, and Iowa Utilities Commission filing instructions can be found at savemorganvalley.com
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