Environmental Group Files Appeal Against Gasification Plant Near South Heart

A Dickinson-based environmental group is going to court over a decision by the Stark County Commission to rezone land for a coal gasification project in southwestern North Dakota The Dakota Resource Council and five property owners near South Heart have filed a notice of appeal in state district court Stark County commissioners voted April 1st to rezone about 4 800 acres of land from Agriculture to industrial The proposal from Houston-based Great Northern Power Development LP includes a mine and a lignite plant near South Heart Supporters of the proposed plant say it will boost the area economy Opponents worry about its effects on the environment Great Northern Power Development vice president Rich Voss says the company will study the appeal to see if it has merit but isn t planning on stopping anything right now