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Resident reports Power On Midwest outreach; commissioners say PUC has final authority
Summary
A resident told the commission Power On Midwest offered a neighbor $1,500 to waive part of a 2,000-foot setback for a proposed 765kV line; the resident reported the contact to the Public Utilities Commission. Chair Jay Grabow said the county can adopt setbacks but the PUC has final decision authority.
At the Aug. 4 meeting Steve January addressed the commission to raise concerns about outreach from Power On Midwest related to a proposed 765kV transmission line.
January said company representatives have approached Deuel County residents seeking waivers to a 2,000-foot setback; he reported a neighbor was offered $1,500 to sign a waiver reducing the setback to 950 feet and that the company allowed only about a week to sign. He said he referred the neighbor to a lawyer and reported the outreach to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
Chairman Jay Grabow responded that Deuel County can establish local setback requirements but that the PUC has ultimate authority over the project and eminent-domain matters. A resident named Mary Nosbush asked about the county’s permitting process for 765kV lines; the minutes record Grabow’s statement clarifying the limits of county authority. The minutes do not record further public comment or a staff report on the project at this meeting.
