Missouri River Energy Services presents peaking plant plan; residents press for noise, outreach commitments

On Feb. 17, 2026, Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) representatives presented details of a proposed peaking power facility to the Deuel County Board of Commissioners, emphasizing that the project is intended to serve MRES member utilities and is not affiliated with the proposed data center or the 765 kV transmission project. "MRES is not associated with the proposed data center for the area," MRES representatives told the commissioners.

The presentation and subsequent public question-and-answer focused on siting, noise and outreach. MRES officials said the plant would be relatively small (about a 22-acre footprint), is being sited near existing transmission and a natural-gas pipeline to reduce costs, and would operate as a peaking facility "10–20% of the time," according to their remarks. MRES said it has submitted materials to the Public Utilities Commission and expects facility permitting activity in the second or third quarter.

The project team, including Matt Schull (President/CEO of MRES), Terry Wolf (COO) and Jason Kjenstad (HDR), outlined their review process and said Banner Associates and other consultants performed technical work on siting and impacts. Kjenstad described HDR’s role in siting and in assembling expert studies for the PUC review. MRES said it has held multiple community meetings since June 2024 and intends to conduct pre- and post-construction inspections to document impacts.

Commissioners and residents raised specific concerns. Chairman Jay Grabow noted community impacts and asked MRES to consult directly with people near the proposed site: "In the site where MRES is planning to build, there are 18 habited homes within a two-mile radius," Grabow said, and asked the company to "talk to those in the 2-mile radius and see how we can make this work for those affected." Resident Christian Vizecky said he lives within a mile of the proposed site and had not been contacted by project representatives.

Neighbors asked about expected noise and light. MRES said generator sets will be enclosed, walls could be deepened for mitigation, and the company plans an operational noise study after the plant begins running. MRES acknowledged the county’s 45-decibel zoning threshold and told commissioners the State PUC is scrutinizing noise in its facility-permit review. On operational technology, Wolf said the company moved from reciprocating motors to gas turbines primarily for cost reasons and stated the plant is a peaking resource intended to meet capacity need rather than continuous baseload.

Questions about regional supply and coordination also arose. MRES said its member peak load is roughly 1,100 megawatts and that regional capacity — not just short-term energy — drives the need for additional peaking resources. The company said it will connect to a substation currently owned by Otter Tail and will operate within the MISO dispatch framework. MRES representatives said they are not affiliated with the separate proposed 765 kV project and would not be tying into that line.

Grabow and Commissioner Steve Rhody urged ongoing, direct outreach to landowners and residents. The presentation closed with MRES saying it will continue its permitting process with the PUC and perform further studies; commissioners asked staff and the company to prioritize contact with the nearest households to address questions about noise, vibration and lighting.

Next steps: MRES indicated it expects state permitting activity later in 2026; the county will monitor Conditional Use Permit filings and follow up on the company’s community outreach.