PUC wants Next Era Energy Resources to fix and maintain roads

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioners pushed officials with Next Era Energy Resources to do a better job of fixing and maintaining roads in and around the Crowned Ridge Wind Project in Codington and Grant Counties.

Commission Chairman Gary Hanson says he checked them out himself.

Hanson says the company needs to make repairs quickly.

Company officials told the commission that construction equipment and two years of wet weather were factors in the road damage.

Hanson says Next Era could be liable if there was an accident.

Company officials promised they would make rapid repairs. The PUC granted the project permit in July of 2019.