Save Morgan Valley protesters urge Alliant to halt proposed Linn County power plant
Members of the Save Morgan Valley group protested outside Alliant Energy's Cedar Rapids building, urging the utility to abandon plans for a natural gas power plant in Linn County, Iowa. The group expressed concerns about air quality, water use, and the plant's potential to support future data center growth. Alliant Energy maintains the project is to meet growing electric demand and ensure grid reliability.
Members of the Save Morgan Valley group protested outside Alliant Energy’s downtown Cedar Rapids building on Tuesday, calling on the utility to abandon plans for a proposed natural gas power plant in Linn County, Iowa. The group opposes the Morgan Valley Energy Center, which Alliant has proposed near Highway 30 and Linn-Benton Road, citing concerns over potential impacts on air quality, water use, nearby property values, and the rural character of the area.
Save Morgan Valley has also questioned the plant's necessity, arguing it could support future data center growth. Alliant Energy, however, stated that the project is intended to meet growing electric demand across its service area and strengthen grid reliability, not to serve a single customer or industry. Alliant described the proposed 720-megawatt facility as a fast-acting, gas-fired resource that could operate during high-demand periods and complement renewable generation, with a potential operational start date in 2030.
The proposal is currently subject to review by multiple regulatory bodies, including the Iowa Utilities Commission, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Linn County Public Health, along with local officials. Save Morgan Valley has urged residents in nearby communities like Cedar Rapids, Fairfax, and Atkins to submit comments to these regulators.