September 2, 2017
Missouri

Clean Line continues to seek power project

By Ray Scherer | News-Press Now | Sep 1, 2017 | www.newspressnow.com

A Texas energy company is vowing to press forward with its available options in efforts to construct a transmission line through parts of Northwest Missouri.

Mark Lawlor, director of development for Clean Line Energy Partners of Houston, told News-Press Now that the company recently filed for a rehearing with the Missouri Public Service Commission on its bid to build a high-voltage, wind-powered electric line that would cross northern parts of the state. On Aug. 16, the PSC unanimously rejected a second request by Clean Line for construction.

Lawlor said the refiling paperwork was submitted to the state on Aug. 25.

“This step is required for a (Missouri court) appeal, which we intend to file if a rehearing is denied,” he said. “We continue to evaluate all other options, and we are working with a number of policymakers to determine if Missouri will allow infrastructure moving forward.”

In its decision, the PSC said the company failed to demonstrate that it had secured the necessary approval from counties along the project’s proposed route pertaining to road crossings.

In its concept, the line would originate with wind farms in western Kansas and extend through Missouri, on into Illinois and Indiana. It would be destined to serve power needs in those states and also utility services on the eastern seaboard. The $2.3 billion overhead line would deliver approximately 4,000 megawatts of wind power.

The application for rehearing stated that despite the vote, four of the five commissioners believe the transmission line has benefits for the public.

The Missouri Landowners Alliance is the project’s main opponent and also has filed for a rehearing, saying its purpose is to seek to safeguard the decision.

Jennifer Gatrel, a spokeswoman for Block Grain Belt Express, another opponent, said her organization maintains confidence in its stance.

“They now know they have to get county approval per state law that has been enforced for decades,” Gatrel said. “Many transmission lines have been built in our state with the law in effect. We think their PR (public relations) efforts are wasted … as public opinion is hugely against them because they treated the landowners like garbage for years.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/09/02/clean-line-continues-to-seek-power-project/