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Planning commission fails to recommend rezoning for proposed MRES power plant; CUP postponed
Summary
A joint public hearing on March 17, 2026, on a rezoning request by Missouri River Energy Services for a proposed 71-acre power plant produced extensive public opposition; the Deuel County Planning Commission did not recommend approval and the Conditional Use Permit review was postponed until after any rezoning decision.
A joint public hearing on March 17, 2026 drew dozens of residents and local officials to the Deuel County Commissioners’ meeting room to consider a rezoning request from Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) for roughly 71 acres in Section 7, T113N R48W.
The request would change the property owned by the James E. Peterson Living Trust from Agricultural (AG) zoning to Commercial/Industrial (CI), a prerequisite for the utility to pursue a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a power plant. MRES representatives presented studies, outreach efforts and technical background on the proposal.
Many members of the public spoke during the hearing, raising concerns about noise (including low-frequency noise), reliance on diesel backup generators, impacts on farming operations and property values, wetlands and water demand, narrow county roads used for hauling fuel, light pollution and perceived inconsistencies in the applicant’s outreach and technical studies. The hearing record shows broad local opposition and numerous technical and siting questions posed to the applicant.
Zoning Officer Jodi Theisen told the boards that MRES submitted both a rezoning application and a CUP application on Feb. 19, 2026, and that utility facilities are only allowed as a Conditional Use in CI zoning. She recommended delaying action on the CUP until April 13, 2026 to allow further evaluation and follow-up testing.
A motion by Lammers, seconded by Dahl, to recommend approval of the rezoning failed on roll call: Kanengieter — no; Lammers — no; DeBoer — no; Grabow — yes; Dahl — no. As recorded, the Planning Commission did not recommend approval of the rezoning request.
Following that vote, the Board of Adjustment convened for the CUP matter. A later motion by DeBoer, seconded by Grabow, postponed discussion and final action on the CUP until the April 13 meeting, contingent on Deuel County Board of Commissioners approving any rezoning. The postponement passed unanimously.
The next procedural steps are: additional follow-up testing and review as recommended by staff; the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment will revisit the CUP on April 13 if the Board of Commissioners approves a rezoning; and the County Board may take up the rezoning at a future commissioners’ meeting. The record shows detailed technical questions remain unresolved by the close of the hearing.
