What the Research Shows

Source: Liu, Lessner & Carpenter, Environmental Health Perspectives (NIH/NIEHS), 2012 — peer-reviewed study of New York ZIP codes, individuals over age 10.

People over age 10 living in a ZIP code with a fuel-fired power plant had hospitalization rates compared with similar ZIP codes without one:

More than 200 medical journals worldwide, along with leading health organizations, have described the climate and air-pollution crisis as a health emergency. This is not a fringe position — it is the mainstream of medicine.

Source: Joint editorial published simultaneously in 200+ health journals, 2021 (reiterated 2023).

What the Pollution Can Affect

Source: Health framing adapted from Healthy Climate Wisconsin (healthyclimatewi.org), a physician- and nurse-led group.

Air and water pollution from gas can affect nearly every organ system in the body:

Who is most affected: Children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with chronic illness.

Marketed as "Clean" — But It Isn't

The fossil-fuel industry prioritizes short-term profits and markets gas as a "clean" and "natural" energy source, using tactics that have been compared to the tobacco industry. There is nothing clean or healthy about burning fossil gas, and our families' health can suffer as a result.

Source: Health framing adapted from Healthy Climate Wisconsin (healthyclimatewi.org).

Projected Annual Emissions — From Alliant's Own Permit Application

Source: Interstate Power & Light Company PSD Air Construction Permit Application (80% Complete), April 23, 2026

Multiple pollutants exceed federal PSD significance thresholds, triggering full Prevention of Significant Deterioration review under the Clean Air Act.

Alliant's Own Modeling Predicts Significant Air Quality Impacts

Source: PSD Class II Air Dispersion Modeling Protocol, April 20, 2026

Alliant's own air dispersion modeling found that projected impacts for PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and carbon monoxide will exceed federal monitoring de minimis levels — meaning Alliant's own model predicts significant air quality impacts on the surrounding area.

Alliant Declined Independent Weather Monitoring at the Site

Nearby residents requested permission to place temporary weather monitoring equipment near the proposed project site to better understand localized atmospheric conditions. Alliant Energy declined the request.

Instead, Alliant is requesting that the existing Cedar Rapids Public Health monitor — located in Cedar Rapids — be used as a substitute for on-site air quality monitoring. Residents continue raising questions about whether site-specific meteorological and baseline air-quality monitoring will ultimately be required for a project of this scale.

Alliant Chose Cost Over Cleaner Technology

Source: PSD Air Construction Permit Application (80% Complete), April 23, 2026

Alliant evaluated Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) — a more effective NOx emissions control technology — but rejected it in favor of cheaper Dry Low-NOx (DLN) burners. Alliant's own cost analysis calculated SCR at approximately $89,389 per ton of NOx controlled per turbine, and used cost as a factor in the decision.

Carbon capture and sequestration technology was also evaluated and not proposed. The facility would emit an estimated 1,516,388 tons of greenhouse gases per year with no carbon capture.

Sources:

• • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• • American Lung Association
• • National Institutes of Health

Live Wind Conditions at Proposed Site

See current wind patterns that would carry emissions from the plant to surrounding communities.

What Would Actually Be Built

Source: PSD Air Construction Permit Application (80% Complete), April 23, 2026

The proposed facility would include the following on 160 acres of agricultural land:

• Three simple-cycle natural gas-fired combustion turbines (each capable of 2,270 MMBtu/hr heat input)
• Four natural gas-fired hot water boilers
• One emergency diesel generator
• One emergency diesel fire pump
• Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) containing circuit breakers
• Haul road traffic generating dust and fugitive emissions
• Natural gas piping components and auxiliary equipment

What Alliant's Own Rezoning Application Reveals

Source: Interstate Power and Light Company Application for Rezoning, Linn County, Iowa — filed July 15, 2026.

• A home sits on the property being rezoned. The 160-acre site includes an existing family dwelling and farm. Alliant is asking the County to reduce the required residential setback to just 650 feet for that home. The landowner has authorized the reduction, but it means a family could be living 650 feet from an industrial gas plant.
• The plant is already designed to expand. Alliant's application states the 55-acre fenced footprint "includes the potential future combined-cycle expansion." The water supply lines, gas pipelines, and infrastructure are all being sized to accommodate a larger facility. The 720MW plant you're being asked to approve today may not be the final size.
• The local fire department gets $19,215 per year. Alliant's own Economic Impact Analysis lists $19,215 in annual tax benefits to Fire Department #5 — the first responders who would answer any emergency at the plant.
• The "200 jobs" figure is misleading. Alliant claims approximately 200 direct, indirect, and induced jobs. The actual number of permanent full-time jobs at the plant is "up to 10."
• A new water pipeline must be built. The plant requires a new water supply line from Cedar Rapids Water Division, approximately 1 mile north of the site, plus a new sewer force main approximately 3.4 miles east. Alliant is responsible for design, construction, and securing easements.

Linn County wrote one of the country's most detailed data-center ordinances, but its own planning director has said the rules are not a moratorium and a data center can still be built under them. Palo-area residents asked supervisors for an outright ban and did not get one. Google has since moved to annex its site into the City of Palo to sidestep the county rules entirely. Rules on paper are not the same as protection.