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Deuel County board delays decision on Missouri River Energy utility permit amid noise and traffic concerns
Summary
The Deuel County Board postponed action on a Conditional Use Permit for a Missouri River Energy Services utilities site after residents raised noise, traffic and environmental concerns and a countywide referendum period remained open. The board directed staff to continue refining permit conditions and will act after the May 5 petition deadline.
The Deuel County Board of Adjustment postponed consideration of a Conditional Use Permit sought by Missouri River Energy Services for a public/private utilities facility, citing public concerns and a pending referendum on the rezoning that would allow the project.
At the April 13 joint meeting in Clear Lake, applicant representatives described mitigation measures including constructing a turning lane at the project entrance, coordinating construction timing and deliveries to respect seasonal road restrictions, and funding independent post-construction noise monitoring. The applicant said noise modeling projects levels around 35 dBA at nearby homes and that the facility is designed to meet the county standard of 45 dBA. Company representatives also pledged a $500,000 community contribution and said a decommissioning fund would be maintained over the facility’s anticipated ~40-year lifespan.
Residents and nearby property owners pressed the board on low-frequency noise, potential health effects and monitoring and enforcement. Marlin Bjerke expressed specific concern about low-frequency sound and health impacts and asked for independent studies and ongoing verification. Michelle Oftedahl questioned study limitations, including claims about audibility out to 1.5 miles. Other speakers, including Kris Christensen and Steve January, raised traffic and road-use concerns, and several speakers asked whether construction labor (estimated at up to about 100 workers at peak) would be housed locally.
Board members discussed procedural options while the rezoning approval from the County (April 7, 2026) remains subject to a 20-day referendum period ending May 5, 2026. State's Attorney Craig Evenson (on the phone) advised the board regarding postponement and the use of a letter of assurance to record permit conditions. A motion by Mike Lammers, seconded by Dennis Kanengieter, to postpone action until after the election passed on a roll call vote (DeBoer—no; Kanengieter—yes; Grabow—yes; Lammers—yes; Dahl—yes).
In addition to postponing the CUP, the board identified conditions it wants documented in a Letter of Assurance for the application, including road and traffic mitigation, construction routing, dust control, lighting and noise monitoring and independent post-construction verification. The board indicated it will continue to refine those conditions before taking a final vote after the referendum period closes.
The board did not take a final vote on the CUP at the meeting.
