Opponents Fight Planned Onida Ethanol Plant in Court
ONIDA, S.D. (AP) — Residents of Onida who oppose a planned ethanol plant just outside of town are fighting the project in court.
The Capital Journal reports that an attorney for the opponents argued during a hearing Monday that Sully County leaders improperly gave the plant a permit.
The judge did not immediately rule, but Ringneck Energy President and CEO Walt Wendland says the company is moving ahead. He says crews hope to begin dirt work by the end of the week.
The plant would produce 70 million gallons of ethanol fuel annually from about 25 million bushels of corn.
The County Commission earlier this year rezoned a parcel of land to pave the way for the plant that will employ about 40 people. Voters in June overwhelmingly backed the zoning change.
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