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Hyperion vote set for June 3
March 25, 2008
Sioux City Journal
By Dave Dreeszen
ELK POINT, S.D. -- The Union County Commission voted 4-1 this morning to schedule a public vote on the proposed Hyperion Energy Center in conjunction with South Dakota's June 3 primary election.
Commissioner Milton Ustad cast the lone dissenting vote.
Supporters of the oil refinery and power plant last week turned in petitions calling for a referendum on a proposed zoning change for the $10 billion project.
At today's meeting, the commission had the option of attaching the question to the primary ballot or holding a special election within 60 days.
Earlier this month, the commission voted 5-0 to grant Hyperion's application to rezone 3,292 acres of farmland to allow construction of the 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery. Afterward, Citizens for Hyperion, a pro-refinery group, began gathering petitions to force the referendum, which the company encouraged.
The Dallas, Texas-based energy firm has repeatedly said it has no interest in building in Union County if a majority of local residents don't want the refinery.
Citizens for Hyperion delivered nearly 1,000 signatures. Under state law, 476 were required to force a vote.
Jerry Miller, state's attorney for Union County, will now draft the ballot language for the June 3 primary, said county Auditor Carol Klumper. |
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