July 27, 2019
Press releases, South Dakota

PUC approves new Sweetland Wind Farm near Miller

By Brittany Olson, communications specialist South Dakota Public Utilities Commission | Jul 26, 2019 | www.capjournal.com

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has approved the construction permit for Sweetland Wind Farm near Miller.

The company expects to complete the $240 million facility and begin operations by Dec. 31, 2020. However, Sweetland stated that construction will not commence until the company finds a buyer for the electricity generated by the wind farm. The facility will be capable of producing approximately 200 megawatts of energy.

Forty-five conditions are imposed on the permit: Aircraft detection lighting, avian and bat mortality, land restoration, decommissioning, noise level, and shadow flicker are among the conditions. A specific setback requirement for the land of intervenor Theresa Lichty was also included.

The project will span a 20,979-acre area in Hand County and include up to 71 wind turbines. Other components include a five-mile, 230-kV generation tie-in transmission facility, access roads, an operations and maintenance facility, up to four meteorological towers, underground 34.5-kV electrical collector lines, underground fiber optic cable, a collection substation, a switch yard, and additional temporary construction areas.

“The swiftness of this wind docket is abnormal,” said PUC Chairman Gary Hanson. “Usually meeting the six-month deadline, especially with so many wind farm dockets before us, is challenging. Each issue and concern must be explored in the interest of protecting consumers and the citizens of South Dakota. The absence of opposition, strong local support and community’s experience with wind farms are reflected in the swiftness of this proceeding.”

“We began on a pretty rocky road with this particular wind farm and fortunately we’ve been able to move past that,” said PUC Vice Chairman Chris Nelson. “The applicant was willing to work directly with a concerned intervenor to resolve issues, as opposed to going through a hearing process. Both the company and intervenor Theresa Lichty should be commended for their participation and willingness to work together.”

“The Sweetland project is the beneficiary of community support. Concerns expressed were generally resolved by Sweetland, an intervenor, and PUC staff without the need for a lengthy hearing process. I am pleased to note the standards set to address public interest concerns in other siting dockets are also prevalent in our approval of this siting docket,” said Commissioner Kristie Fiegen.

Sweetland Wind Farm filed its application with the PUC last March. At the time, state law required the commission to make a decision within six months of receiving a wind energy facility application. A public input meeting was held in Miller in April. In July, a settlement agreement between the applicant and Lichty was approved by the commission.