Spencer, IA (northwestiowanow) — Officials from Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet counties met jointly to review and approve a key drainage agreement for the proposed Red Rock Wind Energy Center Tuesday.
Developer Invenergy plans to build 51 wind turbines across Dickinson and Emmet counties, while Clay County will host the project’s grid connection and portions of its underground electrical lines.
The agreement covers Joint Drainage District 61, which spans all three counties.
Invenergy analyst Manashree Padiyath assured supervisors that the company will cover county administrative and inspection costs.
Before moving to a vote, Clay County Engineer Cole Budach asked whether a drainage engineer needed to be formally appointed for the project.
Emmet County Supervisor Tim Schumacher pointed out that all three counties already rely on the same engineering firm.
Since appointing an engineer was not on the agenda, the boards opted to hold off on an official selection until a future joint meeting.
All three counties unanimously passed the agreement, and county staff will now circulate the document to collect final signatures.
Major construction on the Red Rock Wind Energy Center is slated to begin next year, with completion targeted for late 2028 or 2029.
