Oliver County approves conditional-use permit for North Plains Connector segment
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Summary
Commissioners approved a conditional-use permit to allow an 11-mile HVDC transmission segment through Oliver County, subject to easements and signed road‑use agreements; developer said preconstruction will begin late next year and mainline construction in 2028.
Oliver County commissioners approved a conditional‑use permit (CUP) for a local transmission facility filed by North Plains Connector.
Denisha Cummings, a developer with North Plains Connector, told the commission the company is seeking to place an 11‑mile HVDC (high‑voltage direct current) corridor across the county that will include roughly mid‑50s monopole structures in the county’s 11‑mile portion and requires easements from about 33 landowners. She said all but one easement in Oliver County are agreed in principle and that road‑use agreements and engineering work will be completed before major construction. “We have worked out agreements with all landowners. We have one left in this county to sign,” Cummings said.
Planning and zoning reviewed the application and found no conflicts; commissioners asked for a signed copy of the CUP for the Public Service Commission filing. The commission moved and carried approval; staff noted the project will return for additional building permits and a separate permit for line work tying facilities together later in the process.
What the CUP covers: local facility siting and a road‑use agreement; a future county permit will be required for line work and access roads. The developer asked for limited micro‑adjustments to structure locations during construction so long as changes remain on the same landowner parcel and are documented in final maps.
Next steps: developer to provide a signed CUP copy for PSC submittal, obtain remaining easement signature(s) and return for a further county building permit for line work and access improvements in 2027–2028.
