Sioux County panel recommends conditional approval for NextEra wind farm after public hearing; adds fire-safety condition

The Sioux County Planning Commission recommended approval on April 24, 2024 of Conditional Use Permit 2024-1, the application by Sioux County Wind Farm, LLC (presented by NextEra Energy), after a public hearing on March 27 that brought questions about safety, wildlife, blade disposal and transmission routing.

The project, presenters said, would include no more than 108 wind turbines and the applicant projected approximately $1,500,000 in annual property-tax revenue, with roughly $1,000,000 for local public school districts and more than $300,000 for Sioux County. The application included a road-use and maintenance agreement and decommissioning plans; attorney David Levy said the proposal would comply with the permit’s Conditions of Approval.

During the March 27 public hearing, commissioners and members of the public pressed the applicant on decommissioning bonds, government subsidies and potential effects on property values. Levy said a study submitted by the applicant showed no effect on land values. The minutes record that one landowner filed to terminate a lease agreement and that Paxson said the project team would forgo the three sites in that contract.

Public commenters raised multiple concerns. Jake Stewart, executive director for SWANN, asked about blade disposal and said used blades “can’t be buried.” Others asked about ice on lines, wildlife protection, location of the maintenance shop, bonding and the project's effect on property. Some attendees provided documentation regarding planned NPPD building sites; attorney Levy told the commission that was not relevant to the permit because the Sioux County Wind Farm project is planned to interconnect with Black Hills Energy rather than NPPD and the project is not proposing a transmission line of the type shown in the NPPD materials.

Slim Reece, the local fire chief, told the commission he was concerned about construction fire risks and urged coordination on equipment and training. Project manager Austin Paxson and attorney Levy said they would arrange meetings with affected fire districts to develop a plan.

At the April 24 meeting, deputy county attorney Dan Skavdahl reviewed the planning commission’s role in applying Sioux County Zoning Regulations and the Sioux County Comprehensive Plan before forwarding a recommendation to the county board. Commissioners asked technical questions about lighting (including use of Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems subject to FAA approval) and the periodic review of bonding (noted in the minutes as done every five years by third-party engineers). LeAnne Skavdahl read portions of the comprehensive plan raising concerns about conversion of productive agricultural land and the county’s rural character; Dan Skavdahl said he believed the project met plan guidelines.

On a motion by Jim Phipps, seconded by Jim Skavdahl, the commission voted to recommend approval of the conditional-use permit while adding a condition that a fire rig be on site. Roll-call votes were Willey no, Johnson no, Kaan yes, Howell yes, LeAnne Skavdahl yes, Jim Skavdahl yes and Phipps yes. The motion carried and the recommendation was forwarded to the Sioux County Board of Commissioners for final action.

The county board has not yet taken final action as recorded in these minutes. The commission’s record includes the applicant’s tax-projection figures, road-use and decommissioning plans and notes that the applicant will continue follow-up meetings on emergency response and blade-disposal planning.