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Brookings County resident urges 2,000‑foot setback for proposed Power on Midwest 765 kV line
Summary
Resident Sue Sue Engleman urged the commission to adopt a 2,000‑foot setback from inhabited residences for transmission lines above 345 kV, citing health concerns, ecosystem impacts and the planned Power on Midwest route through Brookings County. She requested the county match the dual‑county setback already enacted elsewhere.
Brookings County resident and electronics engineering technician Sue Sue Engleman told the commission she has researched high‑voltage transmission lines and urged officials to adopt a 2,000‑foot setback from any inhabited residence for transmission lines above 345 kV.
“I am asking the Brookings County commissioners to match the dual county zoning at setback requiring that transmission lines with voltages greater than 345 kilovolts must have a setback of 2,000 feet from any inhabited residents in all zoning districts,” Engleman said. She described the project as the proposed Power on Midwest line running from Big Stone Power Plant south to Brookings County and east into Minnesota and cited planning and in‑service dates discussed at public meetings.
Engleman gave specific technical and timeline details: she said Power on Midwest began planning in 2025 and listed an expected in‑service date of 2034, and she described proposed towers as roughly 175 feet tall with a 250‑foot right‑of‑way. She expressed concerns about noise, nighttime aviation lights, removal of vegetation and potential health effects from electromagnetic fields.
The commission did not discuss public comments the same night; staff and the chair agreed to place the topic on next month’s agenda for fuller discussion and possible subcommittee formation.
