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Special Message from General Manager/CEO Garrett Thompson
April 29, 2026
Energy Projects in the News: What to Know in Cerro Gordo and Worth Counties
A quick overview of recent solar and wind project decisions and what they mean for our members.
You may have seen some recent news stories about large solar and wind projects in North Iowa, particularly in Cerro Gordo County and nearby areas. With about a third of our membership living in that area, I thought it would be helpful to take a minute and walk through what’s going on and what it means from your co-op’s perspective.
There have been two separate decisions that have gotten a lot of attention:
· The Iowa Utilities Commission recently ruled in favor of a large solar project in Cerro Gordo County, allowing it to move forward.
· Around the same time, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a decision related to a wind project in Worth County that supported the county’s position in that case.
At first glance, those outcomes might seem a little inconsistent. However, they highlight something important: the energy landscape and regulatory environment are constantly evolving and include input from multiple parties with different roles and perspectives.
Depending on the situation, these projects can involve:
· County-level zoning and ordinances
· State-level regulatory agencies
· Federal regulatory agencies
· Regional Transmission Organizations (such as the Southwest Power Pool)
· And, in some cases, the court systems
Each of those plays a different role, and how they interact can vary from project to project. That’s why you can see different outcomes, even when the projects may seem similar on the surface.
I also want to be clear about what this means for Franklin REC.
We are not involved in the siting or approval of these projects, and these decisions do not impact how we operate day-to-day. Our role is to deliver reliable, affordable electricity to our members, not to determine where generation projects are built.
So, while these are important developments at the state and local level, they don’t change your service or your rates today.
That said, situations like this are a good reminder of why it’s important for your electric cooperative to stay engaged and informed on energy policy and regulatory issues at both the state and local levels. Our goal isn’t to take sides in individual projects, but to ensure that our members’ voices are heard as decisions are made.
We work closely with organizations like the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, as well as state and local legislators, to share what we’re seeing on the ground. Whether that’s reliability needs, cost pressures, or long-term system planning. That collaboration helps ensure policymakers have a clear understanding of how their decisions can impact the electric system and the communities we serve.
As things continue to evolve, we’ll keep an eye on developments and share updates if and when there’s a direct impact to our system or our members. In the meantime, our focus remains the same: keeping the lights on and continuing to provide the level of service you expect from your local electric cooperative.