Judge sides with county, paving the way for Ringneck Energy plant to start construction

In South Dakota, a judge has ruled in favor of Sully County Commissioners who approved a conditional use permit for the planned 70 million gallon per year Onida ethanol plant under development by Ringneck Energy. Opponents had sought to prove that county officials had improperly granted permission to move forward with the plant. Construction is meant to start in the spring. It will eventually consume 25 million bushels of corn annually. Voters in June backed the zone change made previously that was required to implement the project.