Supervisors come out against Clean Line use of eminent domain

    GRUNDY CENTER — The Grundy County Board of Supervisors came out in opposition of the Rock Island Clean Line’s use of eminent domain to acquire property but would not go as far as opposing the line altogether.
    Both decisions came on split votes. Supervisor Harlyn Riekena first introduced a motion stating that the County should oppose eminent domain, noting that he would not be in favor of the outright opposition to the line that was stated in a proclamation slated for discussion by the Board later in the meeting.
    Just bringing Riekena’s motion to the table created discussion, as it was not specifically on the agenda for the meeting. Auditor Rhonda Deters said the motion could be brought up, as it was related to the proclamation that would be discussed later.
    Riekena’s motion to oppose Clean Line’s use of eminent domin passed by a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Jim Ross opposed.
    Supervisor Chuck Bakker then introduced the proclamation, which stated that the county should oppose the line coming through the area because it will damage farm land and take it out of production while producing no benefit to the county.
    “The electricity is going elsewhere,” Bakker said. “The main business of Iowa is agriculture, not producing wind energy for Chicago or further east.
    “This line going through serves Iowa no purpose,” he added.
 

For more of this story, see the Dec. 12 Grundy Register.