PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The permitting process for a proposed wind farm along the Hughes/Hyde County is moving again after being put on pause this spring. The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approved a joint stipulation and second revised procedural schedule for the 72-turbine North Bend Wind Farm project. Arron Scheibe with May Adam, the Pierre law firm representing North Bend, says North Bend is good with the proposed schedule.
Michael and Judi Bollweg of rural Harrold are the only recognized intervenors to the project. They were not at the Tuesday meeting at the State Capitol, but P-U-C Staff Attorney Amanda Reiss says the intervenors are good with moving ahead.
Commissioner Kristie Fiegen says it was good to see both sides work together on a new schedule.
The North Bend docket was slowed as the P-U-C didn’t want to move forward until Hughes County decided on approval of a conditional use permit for the project. Such a permit was finally approved by the Hughes County Board of Adjustment in late July. As for the new timeline, rebuttal testimony is due by September 30th. Final discovery is due to opposing sides by November 9th and responses to that discovery is due by November 23rd. Lists of witnesses and exhibits are due by December 5th and a new evidentiary hearing is now set for December 13th and 14th.