Amendment H-8228 to HF 2580
Relating to the siting and operation of renewable electric power generating facilities
Never voted on
Filed March 17, 2026 in the House by
What it changes
AI summary This amendment adds a rule that wind energy companies must submit a plan to local authorities explaining how they will prevent and fix microplastic and fiberglass pollution from turbine blades. It requires these plans to be prepared by experts, updated every five years, and made available for public inspection. Local authorities cannot approve a wind project unless they find the plan adequately protects nearby land, water, and human health.1
Read the amendment’s wording
- Page 9, after line 24 by inserting: “
- a. Prior to the issuance of any permit or approval for a wind energy conversion facility, the applicant shall submit to the local authority a microplastic and fiberglass emission mitigation plan. The plan shall be prepared by a qualified environmental scientist or professional engineer licensed in the state of Iowa and shall include all of the following: (1) An assessment of the composition of all turbine blade materials, including fiberglass, epoxy resin, polyurethane coatings, and any materials containing bisphenol A or other substances listed on the United States environmental protection agency’s priority pollutant list. (2) An estimate of the annual rate of leading edge erosion for each turbine model proposed, expressed in grams per year per blade, based on peer-reviewed scientific literature or manufacturer data applicable to the wind and precipitation conditions at the proposed site. (3) An analysis of the likely dispersion pattern of microplastic and fiberglass particles from blade erosion, including modeling of wind-driven particle transport, with specific reference to all agricultural land, watercourses, drainage ditches, wetlands, and potable water sources within one mile of any proposed turbine location. (4) A description of the blade coating and leading edge protection systems to be employed, including the manufacturer’s specifications for erosion resistance and estimated effective lifespan of such systems. (5) A schedule for inspection and maintenance of blade coatings and leading edge protection systems, including the criteria that will trigger recoating or blade replacement. (6) A remediation plan describing the measures the applicant will take to identify and remove fiberglass or microplastic contamination of soil, water, or agricultural products on nonparticipating property should such contamination occur, whether from gradual erosion or catastrophic blade failure. b. The local authority shall not approve the application unless the local authority finds that the microplastic and fiberglass emission mitigation plan, submitted pursuant to paragraph “a” , adequately addresses the risk of microplastic and fiberglass contamination to agricultural land, water resources, and human health within the affected area. c. The applicant shall file an updated microplastic and fiberglass emission mitigation plan with the local authority no less frequently than every five years following initial commercial operation, or within sixty days following any catastrophic blade failure event, whichever is sooner. d. The microplastic and fiberglass emission mitigation plan, submitted pursuant to paragraph “a” , and all updates thereto shall be public records available for inspection at the office of the county recorder. e. This subsection shall not apply to a renewable electric power generation facility that does not include a wind energy conversion facility.”
- By renumbering, redesignating, and correcting internal references as necessary.