Linn County Public Health

10/23/2026

UPDATE: LCPH will continue technical review of the Morgan Valley Energy Center air quality permit application

On October 22, 2026, LCPH announced that it would pause its technical review of the Morgan Valley Energy Center (MVEC) air quality permit application in light of a vote by the Linn County Board of Supervisors regarding the project.

Following further discussion with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), LCPH has been directed to continue its technical review of the MVEC air quality permit application.

10/22/2026

NEW BLOG POST: Iowa has a cancer problem. It's in news headlines, political ads, and everyday conversations: our state has the second highest age-adjusted rate of new cancer diagnoses in the nation. Iowa is also only one of two states where cancer rates are rising.

Breast cancer is a major part of this crisis. The 2026 Cancer in Iowa report estimated that breast cancer would be the second most commonly diagnosed new cancer in the state this year.

The upshot is: we've got to take action against breast cancer. And that's where the Care for Yourself program comes in.

Read the full blog post on LCPH's blog: https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/Blog.aspx?IID=146

10/22/2026

What does the vote from the Board of Supervisors mean for Linn County Public Health?

The technical review of the Morgan Valley Energy Center air quality permit application is on pause. Staff members have stopped work on this project for the time being.

As stated in the County's press release, although the County has denied the rezoning, the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC), which regulates utilities in Iowa, can issue a generating certificate that overrides Linn County’s decision. The IUC is scheduled to consider Alliant Energy’s Morgan Valley Energy Center application beginning December 7, 2026.

In a unanimous vote, the Linn County Board of Supervisors has denied the Interstate Power and Light (Alliant Energy) rezoning application for its proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center gas power plant on the west side of Linn County. The denial occurred during the Board of Supervisors’ first consideration of the rezoning application. The Linn County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting October 19 ended in a tie 3-3 vote. The tie vote meant the case went to the Board of Supervisors with no recommendation.

The application requested rezoning 149.55 acres of property located at the SE corner of Linn-Benton Road and U.S. Hwy 30 from Agricultural (AG) zoning district to Exclusive Use-Two (EU-2) zoning district. Linn County’s ordinance requires natural gas electric generating facilities to be located in an area zoned EU-2.

The Board’s decision to deny the rezoning application is based on criteria in the County’s ordinance that considers development standards for natural gas electric generating facilities, including land-use compatibility, public health and safety, environmental quality, infrastructure, emergency response, surrounding uses, and consistency with the Linn County Comprehensive Plan. These standards can be found in the Linn County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 107, Article IV, Section 107-69, and Article VII, Section 107-150.

The Board’s denial of the rezoning during first consideration means meetings for second and third consideration are canceled and will not happen.

Although the County has denied the rezoning, the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC), which regulates utilities in Iowa, can issue a generating certificate that overrides Linn County’s decision. The IUC is scheduled to consider Alliant Energy’s Morgan Valley Energy Center application beginning December 7, 2026.

The rezoning application and IUC review are separate from the air quality permit application currently under review by Linn County Public Health and the Iowa DNR.

More: https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/458

10/21/2026

The Linn County Board of Health, the Linn County Board of Supervisors, and Linn County Public Health (LCPH) staff have jointly released the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Report.

Read the press release and find the link to the report here: https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/4585

10/20/2026

NOW PLAYING: Mammograms and other services at NO COST to Iowans!

Care for Yourself is a program that provides no-cost mammograms, Pap tests, office visits, diagnostic testing, and if needed, referral for cancer treatment. Finances should not be a barrier for eligible Iowans who want healthcare.

Screening tests can save your life! When cancer is caught earlier, it is easier to treat. So get screened!

Learn more about Care For Yourself by calling 319-892-6081 or by going to https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/1881/Care-For-Yourself

10/19/2026

Stand Up For Peace…by taking this short, anonymous survey! https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/75JTuakb6P

Stand Up For Peace is a partnership between community members, local organizations, and law enforcement groups. Linn County Public Health is a member of this collaborative.

Stand Up For Peace works to reduce violence and build safer, stronger neighborhoods.

We need your help! We want to learn how safe you feel in your community. Your feedback will help identify concerns and guide efforts to prevent violence.

Take the survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/75JTuakb6P

10/09/2026

Did you know that you might be eligible for a mammogram at NO COST to you?

Care for Yourself is a program that provides no-cost mammograms, Pap tests, office visits, diagnostic testing, and if needed, referral for cancer treatment. Finances should not be a barrier for eligible Iowans who want healthcare.

Screening tests can save your life! When cancer is caught earlier, it is easier to treat. So get screened!

Learn more about Care For Yourself by calling 319-892-6081 or by going to https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/1881/Care-For-Yourself.

This fall, protect your pumpkins!!

10/06/2026

Several LCPH staff members added to their coin collections today! In fields such as emergency management, law enforcement, or public health, challenge coins are issued in recognition of significant contributions or special achievements.

Today, Linn County Emergency Management presented LCPH staff members with challenge coins for their logistical support of a large emergency response exercise, held September 29.