A plan to construct a 1.3 billion dollar coal-fired power plant near Waterloo has hit a snag. The Iowa State City Development Board voted 3-2 Thursday against the city of Waterloo’s request to annex the 345-acres of land needed for the proposed Elk Run Energy Station.
The board’s decision is being applauded by those who believe the plant will ruin the area’s environment. The vote is a shock to city leaders who feel Waterloo’s annexation request met state requirements. In a state released to the local media by L-S Power, company officials say they plan to proceed with the project without the land annexation.
That means L-S Power officials will either ask the city to resubmit the annexation request, or they’ll work with Black Hawk County officials in an effort to get approval.