Residents press commission to pause 765 kV transmission filings; commission restructures subcommittee

County residents told the commission that proposed wind, solar and high-voltage transmission projects would industrialize farmland and asked county leaders to act before state filings proceed.

Rufus De Veil, whose family was approached about hosting wind towers and a proposed 765 kV transmission line, said the proposals required permanent easements and warned developers could use eminent domain: “XL can ignore our denial and they can take our land for their use under the title of eminent domain,” he said.

Several speakers, including Sue Engleman and Patty D’Zayo, urged the county to place an immediate temporary ordinance or moratorium on energy projects until safety and regulatory questions are answered. A speaker representing Dual County urged the commission to mirror Dual County’s 2,000-foot setback ordinance and said the PUC typically gives weight to county ordinances.

County staff member Dan explained a motion to restructure the 765 kV subcommittee so the panel would consist of three Planning and Zoning members and two county commissioners; other concerned townships, landowners and company representatives would be called as subject-matter witnesses. Supporters said the change should make meetings more efficient and produce more usable recommendations for planning and zoning; some commissioners and residents worried it could delay substantive local input. The commission voted to restructure the subcommittee on a roll call.

County staff said they would try to clarify PUC practice and whether a locally adopted ordinance or setback would be effective if enacted before a PUC filing; the PUC’s guidance was described in the meeting as mixed and staff committed to get a clearer answer before the August meeting.