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Hyperion Answers Questions About Rezoning Request
January 10, 2008

KTIV

Rezoning nearly 4,000 acres of land, and getting state and local permits are two things Hyperion Resources says it has to do to move forward with plans for its "green energy center" in Union County, South Dakota.

The meeting of the county's planning and zoning commission was something that Hyperion's opponents didn't want to happen, today.

The group "Save Union County" filed two lawsuits one last night, and one Thursday morning to delay the meeting, and another set for next week.

They say the commission set the events without giving the proper 10-days notice. However, a judge refused to take any action.

So Thursday night Hyperion officials gave a lengthy, two-hour presentation to the planning and zoning commission.

Just over 130 people packed the courthouse's basement meeting room, but no public comment was allowed. Planning and zoning commission members did have some questions.

Some wanted to know about the impact of trucks transporting refined fuel on Union County roads. Others asked about the permits the company needs.

Hyperion officials say there's a long list of permits that have to be filed and approved before they'll even consider starting construction. One of those permits is an air quality permit. Hyperion filed paperwork for that one, last month.

Preston Phillips, Project Executive says, "There will be a lengthy period of time where the Dept. of Environmental Natural Resources will develop the draft permit, that will go to public comment."

Hyperion also needs the approval of the planning and zoning commission to rezone nearly 4,000 acres of land from "Agricultural" to "Planned Development."

Phillips says if the majority of folks in Union County don't want the 10-billion dollar "green energy center", they'll simply move on to another site

Preston Phillips, Project Executive: "Hyperion is committed to being a good member of the community. We don't want to be in a community that doesn't want us to be there."

Hyperion officials say they haven't decided if they're coming to Union County. The final site selection isn't expected until this summer. Next week, a public hearing is scheduled to allow for folks to comment on the proposed project.

That meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, the sixteenth, at Elk Point-Jefferson High School, in Elk Point.