Wind Power News: Missouri
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Proposed Knox County wind farm hits snag; affirmative vote expected Monday
A proposed new wind farm project in northeast Missouri hits another snap, but it’s a hurdle that should be easily cleared. On Monday, the Knox County Commission voted 2-to-1 against a development agreement with NEMO Wind LLC, which wants to build a wind farm in the county. It is a project of Cordelio Power. The project’s been talked about, negotiated and researched for more than four years now. Knox County Commissioners Ronnie Leckbee and Luther Green voted against the agreement. . . . Complete story »
Knox County Commission negotiates set back distances higher than any other wind project in the state
According to the commissioners, no other wind project in the state of Missouri includes the setback distances the Knox County Commission has been able to negotiate into the county development agreement contract between the Commission and Cordelio concerning the NEMO Wind Project. The Commission has looked closely at every county contract where wind projects are concerned throughout the state. They feel confident their diligence has paid off. “The closest (a wind turbine) could be to a residence is 1400 feet, . . . Complete story »
Grain Belt Express developer says new $7 billion plan will boost wind energy power
ST. LOUIS – A developer aiming to deliver wind energy across an 800-mile transmission line that’s long been stalled in Missouri announced Monday that it will expand the project’s capacity for even more power. Invenergy, the Chicago-based company attempting to build the Grain Belt Express, now says the transmission project will have the capacity to carry 25% more power than originally planned, including more energy to Missouri. “We heard that story over and over: ‘We want to see more of it . . . Complete story »
Let’s call it what it is
For those of us who dwell in the city, it’s easy to say, ‘bring on the wind power.’ When you’ve got 150-foot towers bringing 4,000 megawatts of electricity by your house, some reluctance is bound to bubble to the surface. You have to feel for those property owners who find themselves in the path of the Grain Belt Express transmission line. These aren’t NIMBYs or people who automatically oppose green energy. Most of them live close to nature and have . . . Complete story »
New electric rates for Liberty customers take effect Wednesday
Liberty customers in Missouri will see higher rates effective Wednesday, in part to pay for the utility’s shift away from coal to renewable energy generation. Under a new rate structure approved May 17 by the Missouri Public Service Commission, the typical residential electric customer in the state, defined as someone using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per month, will see their bill rise by $9.93 per month, or a 7.53% increase. The company had asked for an increase that would have . . . Complete story »
Eminent domain bill won’t stop Grain Belt
Ted Rogers stands near his front porch and gazes past the long gravel driveway that stretches out to State Route A. The Buchanan County farmer says, to no one in particular, “it’s coming.” Nothing that happened in this year’s legislative session changes his premonition about the Grain Belt Express and its impact on the house that his parents moved into in 1955. He’s lived there since 1984. “It’s going to run right past the house,” Rogers said. “Let’s just say . . . Complete story »
Missouri lawmakers won’t block Grain Belt, but future utility lines may face new limits
JEFFERSON CITY – For years, rural Missouri lawmakers have worked to block a wind-powered electric transmission line from using eminent domain to acquire property needed to build a 4,000-megawatt project across the northern part of the state. But, despite intense lobbying efforts from farm groups, the $2 billion Grain Belt Express will be moving forward following legislative action in the Senate on Tuesday. Under Senate Bill 820, private companies such as the one building the line would face higher regulatory hurdles . . . Complete story »
Landowners fear ‘scarred’ landscape from project to bring green energy across the Midwest
The transmission line known as the Grain Belt Express would deliver wind energy from southwest Kansas to other parts of the country – the equivalent of 15 million barrels of oil annually. Some landowners have cashed checks for their property rights, but others are strongly opposed. Loren Sprouse drove through his hometown of Braymer, Missouri, and noted the height of each structure he passed. The water tower loomed 100 feet high. The grain elevator was a little taller. All were shorter . . . Complete story »
Battle over wind energy line heads to Missouri Senate
JEFFERSON CITY – A top Senate leader is predicting Missouri lawmakers will pull the plug on a controversial wind-energy power line before they adjourn next month. Although previous efforts to zap the Grain Belt Express power line have stalled, Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, told reporters last week that he expects the chamber will approve legislation placing roadblocks in the way of the development. “We’re going to push that through,” Rowden said. His prediction comes as a Senate panel is . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine project discussion continues in Page County
Discussion on a proposed Invenergy wind turbine farm in Page and Fremont counties continued March 1 during an evening Page County Board of Supervisors meeting. About 20 residents of southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri spoke during the two-hour-long comment period in the meeting. Board members said they had also received about 14 comments from constituents opposing the project, with one or two comments in favor of turbine construction. “The constant whoosh kinda gets on your nerves, to be honest,” said . . . Complete story »
