The Public Service Commission has cancelled a formal hearing on a wind farm to be built in Stark County.
The Dickinson wind farm would have 87 turbines, and would produce 150 megawatts of power. There would also be a 33 mile transmission line. However, there’s opposition to it – and the Stark County Commission has denied a special use permit for the project.
PSC member Brian Kalk says the hearings had been scheduled next Monday at Dickinson State University. But he says the company asked for a delay.
"Within 30 days, they'll let us know if and what date they want to reschedule, and they will go from there," said Kalk. "
Kalk also says the PSC does not have the authority to overturn a decision by a county commission to deny any permits.
"This is not like a power line, where it's different statute and law," said Kalk. "Our orders in the past have had conditions on them -- conditioned upon county approval, State Historical Society approval. But, once again, speculation -- it seems reasonable the company knows the Commission doesn't have the authority or desire to override a county. I thinks that's one of the big reasons they need to go back to the drawing board and get a project the county likes before they bring it to us."
A group called Concerned Citizens of Stark County has asked to intervene in the hearing. Kalk says the group has a right to be present at the formal hearing, and present its information – and the group would have the right to appeal the PSC’s decision.