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Pennington County forms utility-scale energy task force to study wind, solar projects and local impacts
Summary
Commissioners appointed a seven-member task force on March 4 to study utility-scale alternative energy systems and recommend county policy, with expanded membership added in a substitute motion; the board also named Commissioner Jerry Durr chair.
The Pennington County Board of Commissioners on March 4 created a Utility-Scale Alternative Energy Systems Task Force to study large wind, solar and similar energy proposals, appointing a mix of local producers, industry, indigenous and at-large representatives and establishing county staff as technical advisors.
Appointments and structure: The board initially voted on a seven-member slate recommended by planning staff. During discussion commissioners offered additions; the final roster approved by substitute motion included ag representatives Lindsey Mader and Justin Havenstock, indigenous representative Jiggs O’Connell, at-large representative Eileen Peterson, solar/wind representatives Matt Small and Matt Hasfield, a tourism representative (Mary Williams), planning commission representative John Santana, and Chair Commissioner Jerry Durr as task force chair. County staff (planning, equalization, state’s attorney, conservation district) will serve as technical advisors.
Scope and process: Planning director Brittany Molitor said the group will review county ordinances, study impacts on agricultural land use, wildlife, viewscapes and infrastructure, and recommend potential ordinance language or a permitting framework. The task force is advisory; public comment will be accepted at task force meetings. Commissioners discussed the importance of a focused timeline and producing actionable recommendations rather than open-ended study.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the county is seeing more proposals and needs an organized, locally informed way to assess siting, tax and land-use impacts before amending zoning or permitting rules. Members represent a cross-section of interests: producers, energy operators, indigenous community representation and tourism stakeholders.
Formal action: Motion to appoint the task force and members (mover: Jerry Durr; second: Gary Drews as substitute second); the board approved the slate and substituted additions during discussion. No additional county appropriation was enacted at the meeting; staff will return with a meeting schedule and proposed charge for the task force.
