Orient energy center visits Union County

MidAmerican Energy visited the Union County Board of Supervisors Wednesday, providing an overview of an energy center in Orient.

The visit provided the first in-person update from MidAmerican. The project’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity at this moment is under review with the Iowa Utilities Commission.

The energy center, estimated to cost $600 million and generate up to 526 megawatts of power from simple-cycle natural gas combustion turbines, will be located at the corner of Adair-Union Avenue and Orange Avenue (in Union County, Orange Avenue connects to Clover Avenue).

Energy will be generated in instances where wind and solar farms are inactive or during peak hours of extreme heat or cold. MidAmerican plans for this center to only be on for “10% of the time.”

John Huff, project outreach manager at MidAmerican, noted a few details Union County would be interested in, even though the center will be located in Adair County.

As project construction edges closer, MidAmerican will keep up to date with the county on haul routes and other factors which could impact traffic. Water for the facility will be provided by Creston Waterworks, requiring water lines to be constructed in Union County.

The center is slated to open in spring of 2028. MidAmerican will continue reporting to Union County on updates quarterly.

In other Union County news...

Kathryn Pollson, senior account manager for North Risk Partners, discussed Union County employees’ health insurance in a first quarter review. The board reviewed data from the 61 employees on Union County’s health insurance.

Transferring from Wellmark insurance meant some inconsistencies in county data were spotted, but as the year continues the data is expected to stabilize.