5 years, 1 month ago by Scott Hardy
Line would run through Monroe, Ralls Counties
The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request to build a high-voltage power line across the state, including Monroe and Ralls Counties.
The PSC met Wednesday morning and approved the Grain Belt Express project 5 to 0. In a statement, the PSC said there's a need for the service and that Grain Belt is qualified to provide it. They also said that the project would "have a substantial and favorable effect on the reliability of electric service in Missouri." Several cities and towns, including Hannibal, have planned to obtain power from the line after it's completed. The proposed line will transport wind-generated electricity from western Kansas across Missouri, Illinois and into Indiana. It had met stiff opposition from landowners and county commissions, who were opposed to letting a private company have power of eminent domain. The PSC says that there will be a protocol in place to protect landowners, binding arbitration for easement negotiations and an ag protocol to minimize negative agricultural impacts. The PSC says that no more than nine acres of land will be taken out of production for the project.
It's the fourth time that the proposal was before the PSC, who hinted they'd approve the line after it was acquired by Chicago-based Invenergy last fall. The line still needs approval by Illinois regulators.
