Sherman County commissioners hear update on Sunflower Electric transmission project; county urged to engage KCC process

A commissioner updated the Sherman County Board of Commissioners on an early-phase transmission project proposed by Sunflower Electric, saying the public cooperative is open to discussion but has broad authority to route lines through public utility rights-of-way.

The update, delivered by a commissioner, said Sunflower representatives and county legal counsel discussed project routes, feasibility screening and a multi-phase Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) review that will include a public comment period in a later phase. "They're essentially in the beginning phase of our proposed project and some of the routes that we think might be a possibility," the commissioner said, and added that the KCC will narrow routes during the application process.

Why it matters: Sunflower Electric is a public cooperative; as the commissioner explained, that status limits the county's ability to control pole placement through zoning because the cooperative can access the public utility right-of-way. The speaker urged residents and landowners to raise concerns early so issues can be noted during the KCC process.

The commissioner told the board Sunflower provided a hotline number for public inquiries ("(785) 301-0070") and that Sunflower was willing to discuss voluntary measures such as road maintenance agreements and setback considerations. "They're open to visiting about that," the commissioner said, while also stressing the company's goal of an efficient transmission route.

Board members discussed attending the KCC public meetings when they occur and asked that staff schedule an executive-session briefing with their consultant Trish on July 13 via Zoom to review a proposed template agreement for the county to offer Sunflower.

What remains unresolved: The county cannot veto pole placement in public rights-of-way; the speaker said the county's practical options include attending KCC hearings, lodging written objections during the public-comment phase and negotiating voluntary road maintenance or mitigation agreements. The commissioner noted larger transmission proposals by the company could include towers of substantially greater height on some routes.

The board did not take regulatory action at the meeting; commissioners said they expect a more detailed staff and counsel briefing before the next meeting and encouraged landowners to monitor Sunflower's web information and the hotline.