Linn supervisors to investigate wind power

Linn County is taking up a Texas company on its offer to assess the county's suitability for small-scale "wind gardens."

Supervisors voted unanimously this morning to have Viryd Technologies of Austin, Texas, to conduct an initial assessment of the area's average wind speed and other factors. Viryd will prepare the study at no cost to the county.

If Viryd finds the county has sufficient winds to power its smaller electricity-generating turbines, supervisors may consider developing wind gardens at several county-owned locations.

Supervisors also approved joining an "Interstate 380" lobbying coalition with Johnson and Black Hawk counties. District 3 Supervisor Ben Rogers said the idea grew out of meetings with those counties' supervisors "on issues that are in common with each other."

Rogers, D-Cedar Rapids, said each county will contribute $10,000 toward the cost of lobbyists to advance the coalition's interest at the Legislature. Linn's share will come out of the $60,000 already earmarked for lobbying.

"Having a coalition that represents 435,000 Iowans is rather powerful," said Rogers.