Deuel County adopts one-year moratorium on new public power plant facilities
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Summary
The Deuel County Board of Commissioners on March 3 adopted Resolution 26-07 imposing a one-year moratorium on new public power plant facilities (excluding wind and solar) while county staff and the Planning Commission complete an environmental and community impact study and draft zoning regulations.
The Deuel County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on March 3 to adopt Resolution 26-07, imposing a one-year county-wide moratorium on new public power plant facilities while staff and the Planning Commission study land-use, infrastructure, environmental and community impacts and draft zoning standards.
Chairman Jay Grabow called for the roll call after Commissioner Scott Fieber moved and Commissioner Steve Rhody seconded the resolution. Commissioners Judith Homan and Harry Mewherter voted against the moratorium; Fieber, Rhody and Grabow voted in favor.
Zoning Officer Jodi Theisen told the board the moratorium would pause acceptance, processing and approval of new applications for public power plant facilities (a category defined in the resolution to include thermal and nonrenewable generating stations) while the county crafts regulations addressing siting, setbacks, buffering, noise, emissions, water use, traffic and transmission infrastructure. The resolution explicitly excludes wind energy conversion systems and solar energy facilities from the moratorium.
More than a dozen residents and stakeholders spoke at a joint session of the Board and the Zoning and Planning Commission ahead of the vote, urging the pause. Residents cited noise and cumulative impacts from existing facilities, questioned the Local Review Committee process and called for independent environmental studies and clearer enforcement and public involvement. Frank James, who supported the moratorium, emphasized the need for updated ordinances and transparency; several speakers submitted petitions and signatures in support.
Representatives of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) addressed the board, saying MRES is community-owned and conducts outreach and technical studies. Terry Wolf, identified as Vice President and COO of Missouri River Energy Services, said the company has provided studies and will continue engagement regardless of the moratorium outcome.
The resolution requires staff and the Planning Commission to present recommended zoning text amendments after public hearings and sets the moratorium to take effect 20 days after publication; it may be renewed once for an additional year following required notice and hearing procedures. The resolution also exempts applications that were complete prior to the effective date and existing lawful facilities.