Geronimo Energy will reapply for approval of its proposed 400-MW wind farm in eastern South Dakota following a decision by state regulators to maintain a previous rejection of the project.
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 5 denied the company's motion to reconsider its decision to nix the original plan for the proposed Crocker Wind Farm. The commission initially rejected the proposal after the company filed too many possible configurations of the project proposed for Clark County, S.D.
The company responded in part by offering only one layout for the project and to waive a statutorily imposed six-month review period. Geronimo Energy said it would be quicker and cheaper for all involved if the company did not have to file a new application in a new docket.
In discussing the request on Dec. 5, regulators said they were happy to see Geronimo Energy eventually offering only one configuration for the project. However, they did not think the commission has the authority to waive the six-month window.
"If the statute gave us a year to process these dockets, today would be an easy yes for me," Commissioner Chris Nelson said. "We'll reconsider, we'll accept what you've given us and go ahead and finish it within a year. Unfortunately, the statute doesn't give us that timeline."
Prior to the decision, Brett Koenecke, an attorney for Geronimo Energy, told regulators that whatever the outcome of its bid to get the commission to reconsider its previous rejection, the company would move forward with the project.
Geronimo Energy Vice President Betsy Engelking said the company is in talks with three potential off-takers for the project and expects to have that wrapped up in April or May of 2018.
Koenecke said there are many moving parts on the project timeline, the biggest being that Basin Electric Power Cooperative needs to start construction on substation infrastructure by June 1. The wind farm is intended to connect to the Basin Electric Groton-to-Watertown 345-kV transmission line, according to the application filed earlier this year. Engelking said at this point, Geronimo Energy can reapply for approval of its project and still have a decision by June.
Nelson said he looks forward to Geronimo filing a complete application and hopes that the commission can advance its review as expeditiously as possible, given upcoming deadlines Geronimo Energy is trying to meet.
"I think we need to do everything we can to help meet those as long as everybody's rights are protected through the process," Nelson said. (South Dakota PSC Docket EL 17-028)
