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Planning commission approves Northwestern Energy receiving station; abstentions from two members
Summary
The Lincoln County Planning Commission approved a conditional‑use permit for a renewable natural gas receiving station and easement after staff recommended approval with six conditions; five commissioners voted yes and two abstained, and staff said the pipeline itself is a separate permissive use.
The Lincoln County Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional‑use permit for a renewable natural‑gas receiving station on a property zoned A1 agriculture, clearing a final regulatory step for a digester project and a 1.85‑acre easement to carry gas to an existing pipeline.
Toby Brown, county planning staff, told the commission the application covers a receiving station and related structures on the easement and that staff recommended approval with six conditions. “The applicant has secured an easement on the property approximately 1.85 acres in size,” Brown said during the public hearing, and asked commissioners for questions before the vote.
Landon Schulty of Northwestern Energy described the project as “a renewable natural gas receipt station to go along with the biodigester that is already approved and being built on site,” and said the pipeline to tie into an ethanol line would run about two miles, with roughly a half‑mile in easement on the subject parcel.
Commissioners emphasized the narrow scope of the application. Multiple members noted that the pipeline route and related easements are separate from the conditional‑use decision, which applies only to the receiving station and any structures that exceed the 120‑sq‑ft threshold in the county zoning code.
After limited public input (no speakers opposed), Commissioner Russo moved to approve the permit with staff’s six recommendations; Commissioner Moser seconded. On roll call the measure passed with five yes votes (Montyo, Drew, Sweder/Sweeter, Moser and Jung) and two abstentions (the county commission representative and Commissioner Scott). The chair announced the motion passed.
Next steps: the approval covers this receiving station and the conditions attached by staff; county staff said the pipeline infrastructure beyond the easement would be regulated as a permissive use and may require separate township or agency permits.
The commission completed the item and moved on to other agenda business.
