LEE COUNTY, IA. -- Alliant Energy has apologized for the use of herbicides to control plants beneath power lines in southeast Iowa.

The utility says a contractor was hired to trim the plants, but used chemicals, which drifted outside the easement, killing other plants including farm crops.

An Alliant spokesman  would not identify the contractor.

He says because the plants were growing faster than the contractor could keep it trimmed, the company used herbicides.

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Concerns about the spraying arose during an Aug. 10 meeting of the Lee County Board of Supervisors.

Residents have complained about dead trees and shrubs left in the wake of the spraying. 

The spokesman says the contractor has agreed to clean up the dead plants.