SD County -Moratorium on mining and alternative energy extended

Pennington County commissioners voted  to extend a moratorium on construction permits related to mining and alternative energy for one year. The temporary moratorium was originally approved in April and essentially blocked issuance of construction permits for those types of operations. The move came after the commission denied a construction permit for Croell Redi-Mix, which wanted to expand its quarry south of Rapid City but faced strong opposition from residents.The company is now suing the county over the denial.Holli Hennies, commission office manager, said a county committee headed up by Commissioner Deb Hadcock that is currently working on regulations for solar should be finished with a set of rule in the next few weeks. At that time, commissioners will move on to figuring out how to handle future mining and construction permits. Hadcock said the Alternative Energy Committee has been meeting every other week to finish the ordinances for wind energy and solar energy that are completely new for the county.