Gregory County and its good folks will always have a special place in my heart as will its bass fishing and deer hunting. While I was fishing in Canada last month, James Larson, a Gregory County rancher who lives north of Lucas, called. He was familiar with my column, and I was once his parent’s high school principal. A proposed energy project threatens his livelihood, and he wondered if I was aware of it. After talking with James, Betsy and I decided to drive out to the ranch, not only to see what land would be affected, but to get the story firsthand.

It all began when the Larsons, James and Stacey, received a registered letter that invited them to an April 19th meeting in the Burke Community Civic Center. A proposed Gregory County Pumped Storage Project would be discussed as well as an introduction to both Missouri River Energy Services headquartered in Sioux Falls and the MidAmerican Energy Company headquartered in Des Moines. These companies appear to be dedicated to providing 100% renewable energy with zero greenhouse gas emissions. MidAmerican already operates 3400+ wind turbines at 37 project sites in Iowa.

The proposed reservoir would dam 7.5 square miles of water that would run 70-140 feet deep. The fenced reservoir would provide no irrigation and no recreation with electricity being its sole purpose. An earthen wall will be built around the entire circumference of the reservoir. The rationale of these power companies is that pumped storage hydroelectricity allows energy from intermittent renewable sources – such as wind and solar - to be saved for use at times when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

When I asked James why his area was selected, he answered that the area’s 700+ feet of elevation difference between the east edge and the west edge of the reservoir was necessary to make the project workable. How will it work? Wind and solar energy will be used to pump water uphill from the Missouri River during the day. Released reservoir water will be released and run through generators to produce energy at night. The electricity produced will be transmitted through a line that runs under the river to two 345KV transmission lines that run east of the river.

The decision whether to move forward with the project will be made in January 2026. Meanwhile, various feasibility studies as well as public opportunity to comment will be ongoing. The next public information meeting is scheduled for Burke on 9/28/22. I plan to be there.

While I applaud the creation of energy from renewable resources, there is a serious downside. Land they do not wish to part with will be taken or appropriated from Gregory County ranchers north of Lucas. The people behind this project are feeling somewhat confident as they have already built a powerhouse access road from Hwy 44 to the site of their powerhouse/substation. They will also apply for DOE funding.

This reservoir will be built on excellent farm ground – ground used by ranchers to graze their cattle and produce hay. This land is their livelihood. I don’t know how this land transfer will take place, but I am aware of Eminent Domain. It’s defined as the right of a government or its agent to expropriate private property for public use, with payment of compensation. Are Missouri River Energy and MidAmerican Energy agents of the government?

Currently, the Yankton Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and the Lewis and Clark Historical Society have filed official positions opposing the pump storage project. While I wish to remain open-minded, I am opposed to big government. The 30/30 Initiative comes to mind. I also wonder about ownership of land that goes back to homesteading ancestors. Email GregoryCountyInfo@mrenergy.com or call Joni at 605-338-4042 for more information.

Our daughters have decided that Gulf Shores, Louisiana would be a great spot for a family vacation IF Grandma & Grandpa Roger would foot the bill for the ocean front property. For us it was a “no brainer” as the entire family would be there. We’re looking at the week of July 23rd.

According to Map Quest, Gulf Shores is 20 hours or 1409 miles from Wagner. We will drive by way of Wisconsin and pick up Lisa, our middle daughter, to assist with driving. The rest of the family will fly to Pensacola in Florida’s panhandle as it is the closest major airport.

Other than family, fishing will be my primary interest. Charter boat reef fishing is what Gulf Shores is all about, and you’ll read about it in a coming column.

See you next week