A huge transmission line known as the Brookings CapX 2020 line will run just outside Minneota and will come very close to Ghent.
And that fact doesn’t sit well with either city council.

Comments are still being accumulated regarding the proposed transmission line. Previously the Ghent city council went on record opposing the route of the line. “We are concerned that route 1P-02, which passes along the southern and eastern edges of our city (Ghent) would change the future of our city’s growth,” wrote Ghent Administra-tor/clerk Dawn Vlaminck.

The letter continued, “We recently built 32 houses in a new development on the southern edge of our city called Bluebird Court. This development abuts a prairie that can not be developed. These residents made their homes here based on the knowledge there would be no development behind their homes. Rather, they expected an endless view of prairie land. These residents want you to be aware they are not happy that a large transmission line would now be a part of their landscape.”

What appears to be the No. 1 choice for the transmission line route runs along 340th Street, and runs across the Hope Lutheran Church Cemetery.
The secondary route runs along 310th Street and that appears to be the route that most troubles the Ghent City Council.
With 18 lots yet to sell in Bluebird Court, Ghent officials feel the transmission line will impact development.
“We feel it will be considerably harder to sell these lots,” said Vlaminck’s letter.
The Ghent letter went on to say land values will be decreased and city development will be difficult.
As a result, Ghent is opposing the transmission line.

“What can we do about it?” asked new Minneota Mayor Tony Esping.
“Are you concerned with having a transmission line that close to Minneota?” City Admininistrator Dan Canton replied.
The Minneota City Council then voted to oppose the line.
While the public hearings have finished, written comments from the public will be taken by the “Administrative Judge,” until 4:30 p.m., January 15.
Minneota  City Administrator Dan Canton was instructed to draft a letter voicing Minneota’s concerns about the transmission line.
The PUC website says the goal of the project is, “Ensuring  electric reliability in Minnesota and the surrounding region.”
The website said, “The region is experiencing tremendous  job and population growth, leading to a steady increase in electricity  usage. The last major upgrade of the electric transmission infrastructure took place more than 25 years ago.”
It also said, “Planning studies show that customer  demand for electricity will increase by 4,000 to 6,000 megawatts  by 2020 — more than today’s system has the capacity  to deliver.
The line that would run past Minneota is a 230-mile, 345-kv line between Brookings County, South Dakota, and Hampton, Minnesota.
Some residents fear harmful affects to livestock, radio and TV interference and possible personal harm.
Lyon County Board Chairman Rodney Stensrud told the Minneota council, “There is nothing we can do to stop it.” He indicated a decision on the transmission line route is expected by March, or sooner.