Big River Wind News & Updates

08/07/2026

Turbine safety is top of mind during project development, construction and in the operational phase. Check out this article to learn more!

A few facts:

• The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) requires turbines to be built to withstand sustained winds of 112mph and peak 3-second gusts of 156mph.

• Every turbine has an anemometer that measures wind speed. When wind reaches an unsafe speed, the turbine will automatically shut-off. This is known as the "cut-out speed" which is a much lower rate than what the turbines are built to withstand. The cut-off speed is often 55mph, but it varies by turbine.

Read more from the U.S. Department of Energy here: https://www.energy.gov/cmei/wind/articles/how-do-wind-turbines-survive-severe-weather-and-storms

Wind turbines need to protect themselves just as communities do during severe weather events and storms. Find out how wind turbines survive severe storms, like hurricanes and tornadoes, and how you can stay safe.

08/03/2026

The Big River Wind Project is projected to provide nearly $83 million in tax revenue to Des Moines County over the life of the project. This pie graph shows the estimated breakdown for schools, townships and other entities that would benefit.

07/31/2026

At AES, we understand that our success as a company is only as strong as our partnerships with the communities where we operate. That’s why we partner with communities, customers, state agencies, higher education, elected officials, and other key stakeholders to see how we can best work together to support sustainable social and economic development that complement the local geography and unique culture.

07/27/2026

How do the number of bird fatalities at wind facilities compare to other human caused sources of direct mortality?

Bird fatalities at wind energy facilities are significantly lower (hundreds to thousands of times) than other human-caused mortality sources like cats, power lines, and buildings.

For diurnal raptors, especially golden eagles, wind turbine collisions account for less than 5% of their total deaths. Most research focuses on how wind energy directly benefits the health of bird populations, in comparison to traditional energy methods.

Want to learn more? Follow the link below:
https://rewi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/REWI_Wind-Interactions-Summary_2025.pdf

07/24/2026

At AES, safety is at the core of everything we do, and the Big River Wind facility is no exception.

Today in the US, utility-scale wind energy is the largest source of renewable generation. As of 2022, the US has over 70,000 wind turbines operating across the country; which is enough wind power to serve about 43 million American homes. There are hundreds of thousands of people around the world that live and work near operating wind turbines with no ill health effects, and years of peer-reviewed scientific data have produced no evidence that wind farms cause any adverse health impacts on people.

Learn more about Wind Turbines and Public Health from the American Clean Power Association here: https://bit.ly/49eOEAx

07/20/2026

Who pays for any potential road damage during construction?

AES will work with Des Moines County to complete a Road Use Agreement as part of the permit requirements. The Road Use Agreement will consist of a commitment by AES to pay for the repair of damaged roads, bridges, and culverts after construction has been completed, ensuring they can be returned to their original condition. An assessment of the roads will be conducted prior to construction and after completion to determine whether they need to be repaired or completely rebuilt. The Project will bear the costs for damage done to roads during construction.

07/17/2026

Numerous studies indicate that utility-scale wind turbine installations have no long-term negative impact on property values.

Despite concerns from some homeowners about potential value reductions, Extensive research shows this perception is unfounded. Instead, research suggests these installations can even boost regional property values, especially in rural areas.

Wind projects benefit communities economically by enhancing the tax base, creating jobs, and increasing per-capita income.

Learn more with the link below.⬇️
https://cleanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/gateway/2023/12/ACP_Property-Values-Land-Based-Wind-Turbines_Fact-Sheet-Dec-2023.pdf

07/13/2026

Wind is an emissions-free renewable energy source that has a smaller environmental impact compared to many other energy sources. Wind turbines generate electricity without emitting pollutants that harm air or water (with rare exceptions) and do not require water for cooling. Additionally, wind energy can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, leading to decreased overall air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

Learn more here ➡️ https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/wind/wind-energy-and-the-environment.php

07/10/2026

Will turbines have blinking lights at night?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires wind turbines to incorporate nighttime obstruction lighting – using the FAA L-864 aviation red flashing strobe to ensure the turbines are visible at night both from the ground, as well as from the sky. Similar to how radio towers, cellphone towers, and other tall structures are required to have proper nighttime lighting, wind turbines also need to be visible to aviators navigating the nighttime sky.

The wind industry has come a long way in mitigating the light pollution that comes from the strobing lights located on top of tall structures such as radio towers and wind turbines. Aviation Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS) are a sensor-based system that detect aircraft as they approach a facility. Once an aircraft is detected, the lights on top of the wind turbines will turn on, signifying to the pilot the structure’s location. The lights will remain on until the aircraft has left the coverage area of the ADLS.

07/06/2026

The Danville High School FFA Club is - through agricultural education - preparing the next generation of southeast Iowa residents to be leaders in their fields and in their communities. AES was proud to support the Danville FFA with a $1,000 donation to help cover expenses for its trip to the Iowa State FFA Convention; as well as with a $5,000 grant to aid in its greenhouse project.