PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – The Pierre City Commission has given final approved to an agreement that prepares the town’s electrical system for future growth.

Utilities director Brad Palmer says the deal with East River Electric Power Cooperative benefits both entities.

Palmer says the city will exchange the land and a section of transmission for a bay it can hook into in the new electrical substation, if needed.

Palmer says East River would like to begin construction on the Ash Tap Substation north of Pierre this fall so it’s ready for peak use next summer.