Months after rejecting an earlier proposal, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission said Geronimo Energy can go ahead with construction of its proposed Crocker Wind Farm.
The commission on June 8 voted to grant a construction permit, with conditions, for project that will include up to 120 turbines and be able to produce up to 400 MW, plus an associated 5.2-mile, 345-kV transmission line.
Regulators in October 2017 initially rejected the proposal after the company filed too many possible configurations of the project, proposed for Clark County, S.D. While the company responded in part by offering only one layout for the project and to waive a statutorily imposed six-month review period, the commission maintained its earlier rejection.
Geronimo filed a new application in December 2017 to build the project on privately owned land roughly eight miles north of the town of Clark, S.D.
According to the application, the short transmission line will run overhead from a substation to a switchyard, where power will transfer to Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Groton-to-Watertown 345-kV transmission line.
Geronimo told the commission that electricity from the wind project would help meet the growing generation needs of the region for several decades and provide a significant economic benefit to the local community and government.
In a news release, the commission said it approved 40 conditions with the permit, including those related to road protections, decommissioning and aircraft detection lighting.
Another condition, offered by Commissioner Gary Hanson, calls for the developer to provide a public liaison officer to facilitate communication among landowners, area residents and commission staff and work to resolve problems or complaints.
The wind farm is expected to begin commercial operation by the fourth quarter of 2019. A written order was not yet available on June 11. (South Dakota PSC Docket EL 17-055)
