South Dakota votes for nations 1st oil refinery in over 30 years.

[alanm]

Union County approves zoning ordinance for Hyperion
By Dave Dreeszen (DaveDreeszen@siouxcityjournal.com) Journal business editor

ELK POINT, S.D. -- Flashing a smile, Joyce Bortscheller briefly hugged Hyperion Energy Center executive Preston Phillips as she greeted him in the backyard of her home here.

Bortscheller, president of the Elk Point City Council, had invited about 250 supporters to an outdoor barbecue Tuesday to await the returns for arguably the most important election in Union County's history. The big crowd didn't leave disappointed.

As midnight approached, they popped the champagne corks, celebrating a hard-fought victory that keeps alive the county's chances of landing the nation's first all-new oil refinery in 32 years.

By a solid 58 percent to 42 percent margin, county voters approved Hyperion's request to rezone 3,292 acres of farm land for a new classification, Energy Center Planned Development.

"What happened tonight, we were not supposed to be able to do," Phillips told a cheering audience. "Development projects like this are supposed to be outright rejected by residents and neighbors. But this project is a testament to our balancing the needs for growth and for protecting the environment."

At stake was billions of dollars in capital investment and thousands of high-paying jobs. From the beginning, Hyperion executives said they would abandon its Union County site, just north of Elk Point, if a majority of voters failed to give their blessing to the rezoning.

While conceding defeat, opponents vowed to keep fighting the controversial project on every imaginable front, pressing on with a lawsuit it filed against the county over the zoning procedures and opposing Hyperion as it applies for a bevy of state and federal permits.

"We have strategies in place to slow or delay all the permit processes," Ed Cable, chairman of the anti-Hyperion group Save Union County, said after the vote.

Tuesday's historic election culminated a months-long, emotionally charged campaign that pitted neighbor against neighbor in this extreme southeast South Dakota county.

Supporters cited the once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunities the $10 billion project would bring.

An average of 4,500 construction jobs would be required over four years. With the refinery up and running, Hyperion pledges to create 1,826 full-time jobs at hourly wages of between $20 and $30.

"I think it would be a great opportunity for young people to stay in this area instead of leaving for other states," Kelly Hoekstra, 31, of Dakota Dunes said after casting a vote in favor of the rezoning.

Opponents argued the massive development would not be worth the pollution and other troubles they claimed the refinery would bring. The health risks traditionally associated with a refinery weighed heavily on the minds of some voters.

"I live out here. I don't need the pollution," said Jim Schroeder of McCook Lake, after voting against the rezoning.

The contentious issue largely broke along urban and rural lines, with residents living the closest to the Hyperion site fighting the hardest to keep the refinery out of their backyards.

Tuesday's record turnout largely reflected that split, with early returns from the mostly rural precincts putting the "No" votes squarely in the lead. As votes were tallied in the more populated area, particularly in the southeast tier closest to Sioux City, that lead was slowly erased.

The ordinance took a slim 205-vote lead after 11 of the 13 precincts reported. Hyperion supporters declared victory after the Elk Point precinct results came in, increasing the rezoning lead by 150 votes.

Last to report was voter-rich Dakota Dunes, where an unusually large number of absentee ballots slowed the counting. In the Dunes, the ordinance easily passed, 1,017 to 236 votes.

"That's huge," Phillips told the cheering crowd.

The final tally was 3,932 votes in favor of the ordinance and 2,832 against.

Hyperion touted the so-called "green" technology in its proposed energy center, which it claims would be the world's cleanest. The refinery would process 400,000 barrels of tar sands crude from Alberta into low-sulfur gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Supporters argued that tapping into reserves from our neighbor to the north would reduce the nation's dependence on Mideast oil and add badly needed refining capacity in the U.S., where the last all-new refinery was built in 1976.

Both sides flooded the county's nearly 10,000 registered voters with paid ads, direct mailers and door-to-door stops, combining to raise and spend more than $100,000.

A ballot question committee formed by Dallas, Texas-based Hyperion alone poured in at least $45,000.

"It was close, and one of the reasons why was negative campaigning worked," Phillips told supporters. "We have always taken the high road, and we will continue to take the high road."

Hyperion project executive J.L. "Corky" Frank, a former Marathon Oil executive, joined Phillips for Tuesday night's celebration, where supporters enjoyed music, food and drink and regularly checked their cell phones for up-to-date election numbers.

Addressing the audience, Phillips thanked the local supporters, including Bortscheller and her husband, Gary, for hosting the party.

Last summer, after Hyperion publicly announced its interest in the Union County site, Bortscheller, who is also a local economic development leader, organized a barbecue for Hyperion CEO Albert Huddleston to introduce him to local residents.

"From the very beginning I was on board because I felt it was the right thing for our county," Bortscheller said early in the evening.

Journal staff writer Michele Linck (MicheleLinck@siouxcityjournal.com) contributed to this story.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/06/04/news/top/4e608d46402d5adb8625745e00110beb.txt

[alanm]

Thank Gawd for Midwest common sense. :thumb:

[bkkcoh]

Thank Gawd for Midwest common sense. :thumb:

Yeah, most dems view it as fly-over country.

[little jacob]

of course even though the voters approved it the detractors are going to fight it on every imaginable front. so much for the will of the people! maybe they want good jobs in the area instead of empty land?

[Mr. Kotter]

Thank Gawd for Midwest common sense. :thumb:


Yup. I agree. :thumb:

Although, it was closer than many expected.

I mean, this whole "NIMBY" stuff that often accompanies this sort of a proposal.... is such a load of crap. If you really hate something that bad.... vote with your feet, and move.

[Mr. Kotter]

of course even though the voters approved it the detractors are going to fight it on every imaginable front. so much for the will of the people! maybe they want good jobs in the area instead of empty land?

It's 55 miles or so down the road from me....it will be a significant economic boost to the area's economy.

While not without concerns, the long-term benefits will easily out-strip the "costs." Most South Dakotans realize that, but...yeah, a few butt-heads will try to derail it in the courts.

[mlyonsd]

I'm sitting about 6 miles from it's northern border. I built out in the country because I liked the peace and tranquility. That said I didn't vote because I can see both sides of the issue. In the end it really didn't matter, I win either way.

It'll probably be 10 years before it's up and running though.

[Bwana]

Expect the tree huggers to fight it for 10 years before it's built. They will likely claim it will disturb the local gophor population.

[little jacob]

if they kill all the golfers, they're going to lock them up and throw away the key

[oldandslow]

Expect the tree huggers to fight it for 10 years before it's built. They will likely claim it will disturb the local gophor population.

It wasn't (and isn't) the tree huggers who are fighting this. As mylon can tell you, it was many local farmers who didn't want this. Ed Cable, the Save Union County guy who put together the oppostion, is NOT a tree hugger in any sense of the word.

Kotter, I disagree with your sentiments about moving. Those farmers have been there much longer than Hyperion.

Mylon, personal question for you - are you going to move? If you don't feel like answering that's fine, I am just gauging other folks responses to this.

[mlyonsd]

It wasn't (and isn't) the tree huggers who are fighting this. As mylon can tell you, it was many local farmers who didn't want this. Ed Cable, the Save Union County guy who put together the oppostion, is NOT a tree hugger in any sense of the word.

Kotter, I disagree with your sentiments about moving. Those farmers have been there much longer than Hyperion.

Mylon, personal question for you - are you going to move? If you don't feel like answering that's fine, I am just gauging other folks responses to this.

To be honest it's far enough away the worst I'm going to lose is some of my dark sky at night. At least that's what I think right now.

About the time it goes into full production I'll be looking to make a move anyway, and my house/ground will become a lot more valuable to someone looking to live in the country and only having a 6 mile commute to work.

That's what I meant by win-win.

[Saggysack]

It wasn't (and isn't) the tree huggers who are fighting this. As mylon can tell you, it was many local farmers who didn't want this. Ed Cable, the Save Union County guy who put together the oppostion, is NOT a tree hugger in any sense of the word.

Kotter, I disagree with your sentiments about moving. Those farmers have been there much longer than Hyperion.

Mylon, personal question for you - are you going to move? If you don't feel like answering that's fine, I am just gauging other folks responses to this.

Oh no, you are going to upset the ducks. They all had their boogeyman picked out.

[petegz28]

so why do we need this when our current refineries are NOT running at full capacity?

[oldandslow]

so why do we need this when our current refineries are NOT running at full capacity?

Tar sands. Multibillion dollar operation.

A canadian company is running a pipeline from Alberta to bring the stuff here.

[oldandslow]

BTW here is how the vote came down...rural farmers were very opposed. City dwellers - not so much.

From the sioux city journal...

The contentious issue largely broke along urban and rural lines, with farm residents living the closest to the Hyperion site fighting the hardest to keep the refinery out of their backyards.

Tuesday's record turnout largely reflected that split, with early returns from the mostly rural precincts putting the "No" votes squarely in the lead. As votes were tallied in the more populated area, particularly in the southeast tier closest to Sioux City, that lead was slowly erased.

The ordinance took a slim 205-vote lead after 11 of the 13 precincts reported. Hyperion supporters declared victory after the Elk Point precinct results came in, increasing the rezoning lead by 150 votes.

Last to report was voter-rich Dakota Dunes, where an unusually large number of absentee ballots slowed the counting. In the Dunes, the ordinance easily passed, 1,017 to 236 votes.

"That's huge," Phillips told the cheering crowd.

The final tally was 3,932 votes in favor of the ordinance and 2,832 against.

[Amnorix]

It's 55 miles or so down the road from me....it will be a significant economic boost to the area's economy.

While not without concerns, the long-term benefits will easily out-strip the "costs." Most South Dakotans realize that, but...yeah, a few butt-heads will try to derail it in the courts.


I'm in favor of the project, obviously, as it doesn't negatively affect me and may have some positive effects, but I'm hardly surprised that the closer the person lived to the project site, the stronger the opposition got.

So you may call them "butt-heads" if you wish, but can you honestly say you don't think it might negatively affect their home values just a wee bit?
If it were, say, 1 mile from your house instead of 55, how would you have voted?

[bkkcoh]

I'm in favor of the project, obviously, as it doesn't negatively affect me and may have some positive effects, but I'm hardly surprised that the closer the person lived to the project site, the stronger the opposition got.

So you may call them "butt-heads" if you wish, but can you honestly say you don't think it might negatively affect their home values just a wee bit?
If it were, say, 1 mile from your house instead of 55, how would you have voted?

I think the butt-heads would be the ones who aren't truly impacted, but oppose it for other reasons. If you have a valid reason for opposing the refinery, that is justified, if you oppose it because of losing prarie dog homes, that is a totally different type of issue.

On something like that, the company should give fair market value to the homes in the immediate area and demolish them. Yes, this would increase the cost of the project, but there would be less hard feelings in regards to decreasing the value of homes in the area.

[Laz]

oil/gas prices go up to cover cost in 3 ....... 2 ......... 1 .........

[Mr. Kotter]

I'm in favor of the project, obviously, as it doesn't negatively affect me and may have some positive effects, but I'm hardly surprised that the closer the person lived to the project site, the stronger the opposition got.

So you may call them "butt-heads" if you wish, but can you honestly say you don't think it might negatively affect their home values just a wee bit?
If it were, say, 1 mile from your house instead of 55, how would you have voted?

I'd have welcomed it, sold my house for a hefty profit....and moved somewhere else. :shrug:

Property values in and around the project are already increasing from what I'm being told. Some, substantially even.

[Pitt Gorilla]

It wasn't (and isn't) the tree huggers who are fighting this. As mylon can tell you, it was many local farmers who didn't want this. Ed Cable, the Save Union County guy who put together the oppostion, is NOT a tree hugger in any sense of the word.

Kotter, I disagree with your sentiments about moving. Those farmers have been there much longer than Hyperion.

Mylon, personal question for you - are you going to move? If you don't feel like answering that's fine, I am just gauging other folks responses to this.Damn tree-hugging farmers. Will of the people!! (well, except those people)

BTW,
This seems like a great development. Hopefully, they can get it up and running quickly.

[Mr. Kotter]

....Kotter, I disagree with your sentiments about moving. Those farmers have been there much longer than Hyperion...

I understand people have lived there "longer."

My point is, "so what?" I'm not big on sentimental or emotional attachment to "land." I know liberals and some others can be. I just think it's plain silly. Of course, I'm not a big tree hugger.

I'm a pragmatist, not a transcendentalist. ;)

[Adept Havelock]

My point is, "so what?" I'm not big on sentimental or emotional attachment to "land." I know liberals and some others can be. I just think it's plain silly. Of course, I'm not a big tree hugger.

You would probably feel very differently if you had been raised on a farm/ranch that had been in your family for several generations. I don't think being a "liberal" or a "tree hugger" is even remotely a prerequisite to feeling a deep attachment to something like that.

It's a very normal human reaction, IMO. Goes back to "this is my stand of trees" which great, great, great, grandpa Oook first staked out all those generations ago. We're still at heart territorial primates. Look at all the fences and property disputes over a yard or two of land in the suburbs.

Ook ook, buddy. http://b.imagehost.org/0860/ape_smiley_65.gif

[Mr. Kotter]

You would probably feel very differently if you had been raised on a farm/ranch that had been in your family for several generations. I don't think being a "liberal" or a "tree hugger" is even remotely a prerequisite to feeling a deep attachment to something like that.

It's a very normal human reaction, IMO. Goes back to "this is my stand of trees" which great, great, great, grandpa Oook first staked out all those generations ago. We're still at heart territorial primates. Look at all the fences and property disputes over a yard or two of land in the suburbs.

Ook ook, buddy. http://b.imagehost.org/0860/ape_smiley_65.gif


Like I said, I understand it. It just seems silly....and a waste of time and emotion. There are plenty of "replacements" available IMHO.

Ook ook. :p

[Adept Havelock]

Like I said, I understand it. It just seems silly....and a waste of time and emotion. There are plenty of "replacements" available IMHO.

Ook ook. :p

Really, I understand where you are coming from.

It's similar to how I see the genetic legacy of trying to appease an indifferent and often hostile natural environment by making offerings (physical or non-physical) to spirits. It just seems silly, even though it's kind of ingrained in us.

Ook ook. http://b.imagehost.org/0216/ape_smiley_78.gif

[Chief Henry]

My guess, some of those farmers that are against this project will apply for jobs at this refinery. Some of the childrena nd grandchildren of these farmers will be working at this refinery too. Give it time, the farmers will come around, but it will be along time. Hell, its not even built yet. The opposition will keep trying to stall out the 4th qtr. on this for the next 5-10 years.

KUDO's to South Dakota for stepping up to the plate. SInce it took 30 years, I wonder how long it will take the next ? I'm guessing that it won't be another 30 yrs.

[StcChief]

Good the Environmentalist have been behind all the crisis issues todate....

no refihery in 30 years. by the time it's up and running 40 years.

[jiveturkey]

KUDO's to South Dakota for stepping up to the plate. SInce it took 30 years, I wonder how long it will take the next ? I'm guessing that it won't be another 30 yrs.If we're hog tied by gas in 30 years we've got problems.

[Chief Henry]

If we're hog tied by gas in 30 years we've got problems.

Lets hope some cheaper options - more accessable options are available by then. Currently, Petrolium is the most accessable and cheapest option that we have.

[Iowanian]

Great news.

I'd rather see those jobs in the US and the Midwest than across the boarder in Canada.

I can understand why local farmers might feel threatened and not like the change, likely in the same tone my family and others haven't felt good about corporate hog confinements coming into our neighborhoods.

The good news is, for those that don't want to live there, that many people moving to the area will put a premium and demand for housing and buildable land.

From an economic development standpoint, this will have a large ripple effect...taxes for schools, roads and services, less tax burden by those who already live there and in adjacent counties, increased wages, need for services, food, restaraunts, hotels, engineering, construction and on and on.

While I'm not a big fan of the petroleum industry, we've GOT to encourage more refineries using newer technology and the ability to extract fuel from tar sands and shale et al.


Oh...and while I'm still not a fan of the hog confinements or the thousands of cattle they also run on the same land...it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I just wish they were paying their share of taxes.

[jiveturkey]

Lets hope some cheaper options - more accessable options are available by then. Currently, Petrolium is the most accessable and cheapest option that we have.
I agree.

We need to start moving towards hydrogen though. All of this jacking around with corn and plug-in shit is a waste of time.

ALL EFFORTS TOWARDS HYDROGEN!!!

In the mean time another refinery is a good idea. It's not like we're going to completely cut ourselves off of gas.

[Chief Henry]

I just spoke to one of my good friends in Sioux City. He's got his hands on the pulse of the Sioux City area real well. There is a BSN. out of Kansas City that supplies refineries
with there pipes. They've already purchased a big warehouse in So. Sioux City, Ne. This business has supplied 15 of the refinery expansions in the last years with Pipe and they plan on supplying the pipe for this HUGE Project. This KC pipe bsn. might be purchasing the intire BLOCK that this ware house is sitting in So.Sioux City.

Kum'n'Go konveniance store alreadys has brand new store at the main intersection
where this refinery is going to be located. My good friend up in SC owns two small business's up there and he's already looking into expanding to that area. People are very excited up there. Its less than an hour from my home town. All of Siouxland in NW Iowa, SE South Dakota and NE Nebraska will benefit GREATLY from this project.

[J-Town Fan 1988]

I agree.

We need to start moving towards hydrogen though. All of this jacking around with corn and plug-in shit is a waste of time.

ALL EFFORTS TOWARDS HYDROGEN!!!

In the mean time another refinery is a good idea. It's not like we're going to completely cut ourselves off of gas.

None of it matters, the entire world economy will crash before any other fuel source becomes as widely available and cheap as petrol. Prepare for perpetual dark age and the end of human civilization.

[jiveturkey]

None of it matters, the entire world economy will crash before any other fuel source becomes as widely available and cheap as petrol. Prepare for perpetual dark age and the end of human civilization.Will there still be pancakes? I've been cravin' some pancakes.

[J-Town Fan 1988]

Will there still be pancakes? I've been cravin' some pancakes.

Not unless you can grow your own grains for the batter, and have a maple tree in your yard, no.

[Bwana]

It wasn't (and isn't) the tree huggers who are fighting this. As mylon can tell you, it was many local farmers who didn't want this. Ed Cable, the Save Union County guy who put together the oppostion, is NOT a tree hugger in any sense of the word.



Really? Lets how how that pans out before the first back hoe breaks ground. If the tree huggers don't start coming out of the wood work, it would be a first.

[ClevelandBronco]

Thank you, South Dakota.

[Mr. Kotter]

Really? Lets how how that pans out before the first back hoe breaks ground. If the tree huggers don't start coming out of the wood work, it would be a first.
Tree huggers aren't real popular in South Dakota (except the adorable 'oldandslow').

If they come out of the "woodwork"....most of 'em will likely be from Minnesota or Iowa (or some other commie state.)

;)

[alanm]

None of it matters, the entire world economy will crash before any other fuel source becomes as widely available and cheap as petrol. Prepare for perpetual dark age and the end of human civilization.
Stock up.