County critics aren’t opposed to solar energy

In response to your opinion article (“'Not in my backyard’ lobby threatens to hold up climate action plans in Eastern Iowa,” Dec. 12): You should do some of your own fact checking. Had you attended the meeting in Central City you would know that No. 1 on the list of what Linn County residents prioritized was agricultural land. Renewable energy was No. 2.

Those of us you have labeled NIMBY's are in fact trying to protect prime farmland, non-participating land owners and electricity consumers. We are not lobbyists. We live in the project zones. If you had attended the meeting you might understand why the zoning commission voted 6-1 against.

Believe it or not, none of us are anti-solar. None of us! We are asking the tough questions to ensure that all Iowans are protected in the event the developers are not true to their promises. We want it in writing. We want the county to be able to hold the developer accountable. We want the lease and non-participating land owner to be able to hold the developer accountable without having to spend thousands in attorney fees. We are asking for reasonable protections before the projects are approved.

Did you know there is no place in Linn County to dispose of or recycle solar panels? That just seems backwards to me. If you are going to ask us to go solar both residential and commercial, shouldn't the county be prepared for disposal or recycling? Just one example.

Laura Myres

Palo