shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com August 6, 2019 • Page 3 PUC Approves Construction Permit For Sweetland Wind Farm PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has approved the construction permit for Sweetland Wind Farm, a wind energy facility capable of producing approximately 200 megawatts of energy near Miller, S.D. The company expects to complete the $240 million facility and begin operations by Dec. 31, 2020. However, Sweetland stated that construction will not commence until the company finds a buyer for the electricity generated by the wind farm. The commission discussed and voted on 45 conditions to be imposed on the permit at the PUC’s regular meeting in Pierre on July 25. Aircraft detection lighting, avian and bat mortality, land restoration, decommissioning, noise level and shadow flicker are among the issues addressed in the conditions. A specific setback requirement for the land of intervenor Theresa Lichty, established through negotiations between Lichty and the company, was also included. The Sweetland Wind Farm project will span a 20,979-acre area in Hand County and include up to 71 wind turbines. Other components of the project will include a 5-mile, 230kV generation tie-in transmission facility, access roads, an operations and maintenance facility, up to four meteorological towers, underground 34.5-kV electrical collector lines, underground fiber optic cable, a collection substation, a switchyard and additional temporary construction areas. “The swiftness of this wind docket is abnormal,” commented PUC Chairman Gary Hanson. “Usually meeting the six-month deadline, especially with so many wind farm dockets before us, is challenging. Each issue and concern must be explored in the interest of protecting consumers and the citizens of South Dakota. The absence of opposition, strong local support and community’s experience with wind farms are reflected in the swiftness of this proceeding,” he said. Vice Chairman Chris Nelson stated: “We began on a pretty rocky road with this particular wind farm and fortunately we’ve been able to move past that. The applicant was willing to work directly with a concerned intervenor to resolve issues as opposed to going through a hearing process. Both the company and intervenor Theresa Lichty should be commended for their participation and willingness to work together.” “The Sweetland project is the beneficiary of community support. Concerns expressed were generally resolved by Sweetland, an interve- nor and PUC staff without the need for a lengthy hearing process. I am pleased to note the standards set to address public interest concerns in other siting dockets are also prevalent in our approval of this siting docket,” said Commissioner Kristie Fiegen. Sweetland Wind Farm filed its application with the PUC on March 6, 2019. At the time, state law required the commission to make a decision within six months of receiving a wind energy facility application. A public input meeting was held in Miller in April. Parties to the docket included Sweetland, PUC staff and Intervenor Theresa Lichty. On July 11, 2019, a settlement agreement between the applicant and Lichty was approved by the commission and the terms of that agreement were incorporated in the conditions of the permit. The Sweetland Wind Farm docket can be viewed on the PUC's website at www.puc.sd.gov, Commission Actions, Electric Dockets, 2019 Electric Dockets, EL19-012 - In the Matter of the Application by Sweetland Wind Farm, LLC for Facility Permits for a Wind Energy Facility and a 230-kV Transmission Facility in Hand County, South Dakota for the Sweetland Wind Farm Project. Pork Butt Battle Returns To The SD State Fair HURON, S.D. – The South Dakota State Fair will host the Pork Butt Battle presented by the SD Pork Producers and Jack’s Campers on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in Horticulture Park. Fairgoers are encouraged to come by the contest for the free people's choice tasting. First place in the contest will take home $500, second place $225, third place $125, and the people’s choice winner will take home $100. A trophy is also given to all the winners. Professional judging and people’s choice judging starts Friday, Aug. 30, at 3 PM, with awards to follow at 4:15 p.m. To enter, $40 per entry is due by Friday, Aug. 23. Checks can be made payable to the SD State Fair and mailed to SD State Fair, Attn: Pork Butt Battle. Rules and entry forms can be found on the South Dakota State Fair website, www.sdstatefair.com, under the Special Events section. The 2019 South Dakota State Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 2. Channel Seeds preview night will be Wednesday, Aug. 28. For more information on State Fair events, contact the fair office at 800.529.0900, visit sdstatefair.com or find it on Facebook or Twitter. Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $32.5 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 132,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. the Missouri Valley Shopper In print and online! www.missourivalleyshopper.com New Study Shows $6.9 Billion Increase In SD Ag Economic Contribution PIERRE, S.D.- The South Dakota Department of Agriculture has released the 2019 South Dakota Agricultural Economic Contribution Study. The study is an update to the 2014 South Dakota Economic Contribution Study. Both studies were completed by Decision Innovation Solutions and draws from data generated by the Census of Agriculture conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A few key findings from the study include: •Agriculture contributes $32.5 billion, annually, to South Dakota’s economy, up from $25.6 billion. This accounts for 33 percent of South Dakota’s total economic output. •The number of agriculture and agriculturerelated jobs also increased from 115,651 to 132,105. This represents 22 percent of all jobs in South Dakota. “This study is very encouraging,” said South Dakota Secretary of Agricul- ture Kim Vanneman. “It’s been a tough couple years for folks in agriculture with unpredictable weather and tough markets, but these numbers show that the heartbeat of agriculture is strong, and our future is bright. Thanks to the innovative and hard-working men and women in all parts the industry, agricul- ture continues to grow in South Dakota.” To view the full study, visit https://sdda.sd.gov/ office-of-the-secretary/ publications/pdf/2019_FinalSD_AECS.pdf. Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $32.5 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 132,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 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