BROOKINGS — A county-level panel is being assembled to study PowerOn Midwest’s proposal for a 765-kilovolt high-voltage line in eastern Brookings County.
The subcommittee will be composed of 16 people, and the Brookings County Commission selected the panel’s two public members via voice votes at its May 19 meeting:
• Don DeGreef of Brookings.
• Allen Jones of Brookings.
Both individuals, in their applications, pointed to prior experience with electrical-related professions and projects. They were among eight applicants in all, a level of interest that drew praise from commissioners.
“I would just like to say a big thank you to these eight individuals who took the time to fill out this application and be willing to serve on a subcommittee such as this,” Commissioner Kelly VanderWal said. “This is something unique that we haven’t in my time — it’s just the second one we’ve done. I think it’s great to see community involvement. There’s some tough choices that we have to make … I feel that there’s several in here that can bring some knowledge that the rest of the committee and community need to hear.”
VanderWal’s comments were echoed by Commissioner Shawn Hostler.
“We want people with that great wealth of knowledge that will ask the hard questions (and) keep an open mind about everything that’s going on,” he said. “Thank you very much for everybody who has applied, and it’s encouraging that we’re getting a lot of public input … for this committee.”
The other 14 members of the panel will be:
• One representative each from the seven townships that the proposed project’s route goes through: Elkton, Parnell, Alton, Sherman, Oak Lake, Lake Hendricks and Richland.
• Four members of the Brookings County Planning Commission, including VanderWal in his capacity representing the county commission on that particular panel.
• One representative from Xcel Energy, one of the two utilities — the other being Otter Tail Power Co. — that, together, are the driving force behind PowerOn Midwest.
• For legal purposes, a representative from the Brookings County State’s Attorney’s Office.
• Commissioner Dave Miller, representing the county commission.
County Development Director/Emergency Manager Bob Hill said the plan is for the subcommittee to have its first meeting at 9 a.m. on June 10, but the location has yet to be determined.
“Will the public be able to attend (their meetings?)” Commissioner Larry Jensen inquired.
“Yes, they’re going to be public meetings,” Hill said. “We’ll do this like we do our other meetings — we’ll publish an agenda and anybody’s welcome to come.”
He noted that the public is encouraged to send materials for the subcommittee to Hill’s office, which will digitize all project-related documents and post them online on the county’s website.
“(With) committees such as this, we’re trying to get the community involved, trying to get the people that live out there involved,” Hill explained. “But we also have to abide by federal, state and local regulations, so how much we can actually regulate, I guess we’ll find out as this subcommittee goes.”
Miller joined the conversation, seeking clarity on panel membership.
“Bob, on the people that are going to be appointed from the townships, I’ve heard you say township officials?” he asked. “Or just somebody that lives in the township?”
Hill said the letters that will be going out will request participation from one official — elected or appointed — from each township.
The panel’s recommendations and findings will be forwarded to the Brookings County Planning Commission. Depending on what happens at that level, further action could then be taken by the county commission itself.
The new subcommittee is similar to a previous panel that focused on a proposed CO2 pipeline project that would have impacted the county. The project — championed initially by Navigator CO2 and then subsequently by Carbon Summit Solutions — fell through because of regulatory hurdles and opposition at the local and state levels.
Ultimately, the work by the local CO2 Pipeline Advisory Committee led the county to update its ordinances regarding future liquid and CO2 pipelines in 2025, including new setback requirements.
In other business on May 19, commissioners:
• Learned from Hill that the Brookings County Drainage Board will meet on June 8 at 6 p.m. in the commission chambers at the Brookings City & County Government Center.
Up for discussion will be the proposed project to repair a dike on the Big Sioux River — a plan that has raised concerns among nearby landowners.
Letters regarding the meeting will be sent to interested parties that the county has addresses for, Hill said.
• Approved, on a 5-0 vote, gifting $500 to the Elkton Special Days Committee for Elkton’s Fourth of July fireworks display.
• Heard an update from Jeff McCormick of SPN Helms Engineers & Surveyors regarding utility work in Elkton — including cost estimates and cost shares — involving the upcoming fourth phase of the project that will affect North Drive and Cornell Street.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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