By: Jessica Rae
jrae@kcautv.com
The deadline has come and gone, according to its air permit, Friday by 5 p.m. Hyperion was suppose to begin construction on its $10 billion oil refinery.
In a statement it said it will consider filing for a new application for its air permit rather than renewing the existing one.
Hyperion Vice President Preston Phillips is quoted as saying, "While there are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches, the state officials expressed a clear preference that we come in with a new permit."
The town of Elk Point, and the surrounding areas, have been bitterly divided over this issue for years, and today's announcement hasn't changed a thing.
Kurt Appley is a farmer from Union County, South Dakota.
He's also opposed to Hyperion Energy's plan to build a $10 billion oil refinery just four miles from his property.
Appley says, "I've been opposed to it from the beginning. I've been in refinery towns and I've never thought they were very nice towns, in fact any refinery town I've ever been in is a town I wouldn't want to live in."
If the Hyperion oil refinery were to be built, an estimated 1,000 jobs would be brought to the area, not to mention, the tax dollars that would go to the city.
But, some folks like Kurt Appley, still don't think that's what's best for Union County.
Appley says, "If the area needs jobs, we can find a lot better jobs, for a lot less damage."
Hyperion says it's still evaluating when would be the best time to submit the new application.
Until then all we can do is wait, but Appley adds, "I don't think its going to get built."
Hyperion did say they won't be starting from scratch; they will continue to build on the work they've already put in.
