The fight over a proposed coal-fired power plant near Waterloo will move to Merle Bell's farm Sunday, where opponents will rally against the $1.5 billion project.
Bell lives on the century farm just east of Waterloo. In 1876 Bell's grandfather approved the railroad line that ironically now would carry coal trains to the 750-megawatt plant Merle vehemently opposes.
The generating plant could power up to 500,000 homes. Owner LS Power of New Jersey would sell part ownership or electric output to municipalities, co-ops or investor-owned utilities across the Midwest. If approved, construction would begin next year and the plant could go online in 2012 or 2013.
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Recent heavy rains and a full Saylorville Lake translate to a short supply of white pelicans to view during the Pelican Festival on Sunday afternoon at Jester Park near Granger.
"Our lower campground is flooded, and the water is high. Pelicans don't like deep waters," said Patrice Petersen-Keys, environmental education coordinator with the Polk County Conservation Board. "They like shallow water with mud flats, and there are no mud flats to be found."
Typically, as many as 10,000 pelicans can be found in the area on any given day during the fall migration, Petersen-Keys said.
"Sure, there are pelicans this year, but they are scattered out on ponds and smaller places," she said.
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