Missouri River Energy Services to Host Community Engagement Events Across Deuel County

Deuel County, S.D. — As part of its commitment to transparency, responsiveness and long‑term partnership with Deuel County, MRES is inviting residents to participate in several upcoming community engagement opportunities related to the proposed Toronto Power Plant.

“These engagement opportunities are about continuing an open, two-way conversation with the Deuel County community,” said Alex Abplanalp, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer with MRES. “We want to share information, listen to local perspectives, and make sure people have opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the proposed project.”

The South-Dakota-based not-for-profit public power provider will host the following community events to engage directly with Deuel County residents:

Community Benefits Workshops – Wednesday, May 13

MRES is committed to delivering meaningful local benefits that help communities thrive long-term. Residents of Toronto are invited to attend one of two Community Benefits Workshop sessions in Toronto on Wednesday, May 13 focused on identifying local needs and priorities. These discussion‑based sessions will be facilitated by a third party and are an opportunity for residents to share ideas, ask questions and help inform future community involvement if the Toronto Power Plant project moves forward. Residents are encouraged to attend the session that works best for them:

• Session 1:
  11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  Toronto Café, 485 Main Avenue, Toronto, S.D. 57268
  RSVP requested due to limited seating
• Session 2:
  6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  Deubrook Elementary School, 695 Palisades Avenue, Toronto, S.D.

The proposed project is a carefully designed energy facility intended to provide dependable backup power when other resources are strained, such as during periods of extreme heat or cold. The facility would typically run during periods of high demand to help keep energy reliable across the region, and it would be located close to existing infrastructure to help limit new construction, land impacts and the project’s overall footprint.

Community Open House Series

In the coming weeks, MRES will host a series of informal open houses across Deuel County to share information about the proposed Toronto Power Plant and engage in open dialogue with residents. These events are designed to provide additional opportunities for community members to ask questions and learn more about the plant’s purpose, operations and benefits. All Deuel County residents are welcome to drop in anytime to the following open houses:

• Tuesday, May 12
  6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  State Line Bar and Grill, 4000 Edgewater Dr, Gary, SD 57237
• Monday, May 18
  6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  High Mt Supper Club, 17530 SD-15, Altamont, SD 57226
• Tuesday, May 19
  6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  Lundy’s Dive Bar, 322 3rd Ave S, Clear Lake, SD 57226
• Thursday, May 28
  6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  Toronto Café, 485 Main Avenue, Toronto, S.D. 57268

If the Toronto Power Plant moves forward, MRES would own and operate the facility long-term, with a continued commitment to being a responsible neighbor in Deuel County. Additional details about the project, open houses and other engagement opportunities are available at https://www.mrenergy.com/energ....

About Missouri River Energy Services
Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) is a South Dakota-based not‑for‑profit, community‑owned public power provider serving municipal electric utilities across the region. For more than 60 years, MRES has earned trust in communities through transparency, local presence, ongoing engagement and the performance of its facilities.