July 16, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com PUC Gives Crowned Ridge Wind Farm Permit To Construct Broadcaster Press 3 South Dakota PUC Approves Construction Permit For Triple H Wind Project PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission apPIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota Public Utilities proved a construction permit for Commission today approved a permit, with condithe Triple H Wind project, a wind tions, giving the go ahead for the construction of the energy facility capable of generCrowned Ridge Wind Farm in northeastern South ating up to 250.54 megawatts of Dakota. Commission members Gary Hanson, Chris energy in Hyde Co. The action by Nelson and Kristie Fiegen made their decision at the the commission came on July 9 at regular PUC meeting in Pierre on Tuesday, July 9. its regular meeting in Pierre. The Crowned Ridge Wind Farm will cover 53,186 A settlement agreement preacres in Grant and Codington counties. It will be capa- sented by Triple H and PUC staff ble of producing as much as 300 megawatts of energy was previously accepted by the from up to 130 wind turbines. The wind farm is owned commission in May. Issues not by Crowned Ridge Wind LLC, a wholly-owned indirect addressed in the settlement – fundsubsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC. Northern ing for decommissioning of the States Power Co., doing business as Xcel Energy, will project, risk associated with ice purchase the energy produced by the wind farm. throw and risk to whooping cranes Crowned Ridge Wind filed its application with the – were presented at an evidentiary PUC on Jan. 30, 2019, launching a statutory six-month hearing in late June. The commisreview period that included a public input hearing in sion’s action this week was to rule Waverly in March and an evidentiary hearing in Pierre on those issues and determine if a in June. permit should be granted. The 2019 legislature revised the law, extending the Triple H must adhere to 41 conreview period to nine months for wind energy permit ditions specified by the commisapplications filed with the commission after July 1, sion during the construction and 2019. operation of the project. Shadow Intervenors participating in the Crowned Ridge flicker, sound level, land restoraWind docket included Allen Robish and Amber Christion after construction, potential tenson of Strandburg; Kristi Mogen of Twin Brooks; impacts to whooping cranes and and Patrick and Melissa Lynch of Watertown. ice throw are among the details the Among the 46 conditions the PUC placed on the per- conditions address. Additionally, mit are those that address sound levels and shadow the commission voted to require flicker experienced by nearby residences, the detecthe establishment of an escrow tion of ice on turbine blades, monitoring of grouse account specifically designated for leks within the wind farm area once construction is the future decommissioning of the complete, and funding for the removal of the facilities, project. known as decommissioning. At Triple H’s request, the com“I truly believe that through the conditions we mission also considered changing specified today, we came up with a good product,” the requirements to provide notice stated PUC Chairman Hanson. “We go through this pro- to landowners and the commission cess following the evidence that has been presented prior to construction and allow the and making certain we follow the law. We have to base applicant to begin construction our decision on evidence, not our feelings,” he said. on Aug. 1, 2019. After discussion, “It’s been a grind to get to where we are today,” commissioners voted to maintain noted PUC Vice Chairman Nelson. “Having considthe standard 14-day requirement ered all the evidence presented during this process, I believe the applicant has met the burden required in state law to obtain a permit. The operational aspects of this project have to meet the requirements that the PUC and the counties have established,” Nelson said. Your opinion is something Commissioner Fiegen spoke about the commiswe always want to hear. Questions? sion’s final decision, stating, “Today we have adCall, write us or contact Comments? dressed a lot of concerns brought to our attention dur- us via e-mail and let us Story Ideas? know how we are doing. ing the evidentiary hearing and through post-hearing briefs. What we have landed on is a combination that works for the residents of the area, for the applicant and for the state.” 201 W. Cherry •Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-4429 • classifieds@plaintalk.net Crowned Ridge Wind estimates the wind farm will cost $400 million and expects it to be completed by 2020. This wind farm is separate from the Crowned Ridge II wind farm for which an application is expected to be filed with the PUC. The commission will have nine months to process that application, pursuant to the new law, which took effect July 1. The Crowned Ridge Wind Farm docket can be viewed on the PUC's website at www.puc.sd.gov, Commission Actions, Electric Dockets, 2019 Electric Dockets, EL19-003 – In the Matter of the Application by Crowned Ridge Wind, LLC for a Permit of a Wind Energy Facility in Grant and Codington Counties. for landowners and 30-day requirement for the commission. Of the company’s request, PUC Chairman Gary Hanson stated, “From my standpoint, I like to honor precedents and I prefer consistency. We know that there are timelines that work for us and I dislike experimenting with them. I understand the need to complete the project during one construction season, but we also need to ensure we provide proper notice to landowners and allow adequate time for citizens and communities to prepare.” Triple H filed its application with the PUC on Feb. 6, 2019. At the time the application was filed, state law required the commission to make a decision within six months of receiving a wind energy facility application. A public input hearing was held in Highmore in March. No one sought intervention in this docket. PUC Vice Chairman Chris Nelson reflected on the community participation at the input hearing. “The public input meeting for this particular wind farm was unlike most that we go to. It was clear that the applicant had done the legwork with folks in the area when they came out to support the project. That goes a long way toward telling us that things have been taken care of,” Nelson said. Commissioner Kristie Fiegen also recognized the company’s efforts at the local level and in working with the commission. “The applicant and the Highmore community have really done a great job to make this a win-win situation We’re all ears. Thank You! Thanks to all my family and friends for making my 80th birthday party so special. Thanks to everyone who came or sent cards and good wishes. ~Kay Powell~ MOVING W “BUILDINGS” Design – Quality – Price More Bang for Your Buck! This will ensure that all kids in Vermillion, SD will have a hot lunch every day. 10,800 copies distributed with 27,000 readers per issue and now in a larger, reader-friendly format! Call 624-4429 to get your ad in! & Sale 508 West Main St., Vermillion Friday, July 19th • 1pm – 8pm Saturday, July 20th • 8am – 7pm • Children’s Furniture and Toys • New Chicken Coop • Piano • Furniture & Much More! 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