Cedar Rapids, Iowa (KCRG) – Eastern Iowa Airport leaders say they are concerned about a possible construction of a similar utility plant that could be less than five miles from the airport's main runway.
The plant can be built in the Southwest 76th Avenue area outside Fairfax.
Airport Supervisor Marty Lenss said they discovered the possible factory last month.
On Monday morning, the Airport Commission approved a nearly $70,000 study to explore the potential impact on airport operations.
“For us, very soon, you know, this isn't really a compatible land use next to the airport,” said Marty Lenss, director of CID Airport.
Just four miles from the main runway, a new Alliant utility factory could be built, the camera says he has some concerns.
The plant's stacking up to 250 feet is just one of his anxiety.
“Feathers that fall from stacks that cause certain weather conditions can lead to increased fog and eventually shut down airport operations,” Lenss said.
Lenss says CID has a first-class method system. This means that the pilot cannot drop in lower visibility conditions.
“Apart from the smoke plume that is as high as this, the air speed is incredible at a different temperature than the surrounding air. The air is very turbulent, right? So another concern is if the airplane hits that turbulent air,” he said.
Another big problem, the camera says, is the third runway that has been ongoing for some time.
The shortest length of the runway will be less than two miles from the factory.
“Today, it is planned to be 7,400 feet, which is only one mile from the facility,” he said.
He said that if these characters were reversed, they wouldn't consider putting the airport near such plants.
“Today we and that power plant are both in size and size. So we just flipped that situation. We will give up the site right away,” Lenss said.
He said that although technically, plants can fit…
“Plumage will be a problem. There is no doubt that it will be a problem,” Lenss said. “It's still not a good idea.”
“For years, we have been commissioning work to make sure our airport has enough space to continue to thrive, grow and stay safe. By the day, you know, it really became our red line. We really believe it is the wrong place to place power plants,” said Barry Boyer, chairman of the CID Airports Commission.
Another big problem, the lens says, is that if a factory is built, it could actually affect the airport’s ability to compete for federal discretion grants.
“You don't have a guarantee of maintaining a grant. This is a federal requirement for every grant we sign. This can greatly harm our ability to compete through federal discretion grants, so it can greatly change the way we develop airports.”
“We are in the early stages of site selection for the combined cycle gas facilities. Our on-site assessment includes Fairfax's Big Cedar Industrial Center, a possible location. This is the region with the highest demand for energy and historically strategic power generation facilities.
This potential facility underscores Alliant Energy’s ongoing commitment to a balanced energy approach that provides customers with safe, reliable and cost-effective energy by integrating traditional and renewable energy sources. As part of our last Iowa review, we are committed to keeping base rates stable until the end of the decade. The proposed facility does not hinder this commitment.
Currently, we are working with Fairfax and Cedar Rapids cities and reviewing the proposed agency’s compatibility with airport operations. We intend to work with the airport to provide the necessary information and continue to seek their input, as we have done with any local stakeholders in terms of generation locations and potential on-site decision-making. Our schedule remains fluid to ensure that we can have proper conversations with local communities and stakeholders. ”
Alliant plans to move forward with the Iowa Public Utilities Commission in October, Lenss said.
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