State rejects large electric line that had potential to save millions
Nearly three dozen cities across the state waited for the approval to bring low-cost energy to Missouri, but Wednesday the state’s Public Service Commission rejected the transmission line.
Missouri utility regulators rejected a proposed high-voltage power line to carry wind power across the Midwest to eastern states.
The decision Wednesday by the Missouri Public Service Commission creates a significant hurdle for Clean Line Energy Partners, which wants to build one of the nation’s longest transmission lines.
All the other states along its route already have granted approval. The line would run from Kansas through Missouri and Illinois to Indiana, where it would connect with a power grid for eastern states.
The Missouri Public Utility Alliance said the transmission line would have served cities like Columbia, Centralia, Hannibal and Kirkwood.
“There was a chance to save a lot of money on power supply because the costs have come down for wind power,” Connie Ford, Director of Member Services for MPUA, said.
Missouri regulators initially rejected the project in 2015, questioning its benefits and burden on landowners.
This time, the regulatory commission cited a recent state appeals court ruling that said utilities must first get consent from affected counties before state approval can be granted. Documents show, Caldwell County did not grant the use of public roads and highways for the project.
ABC 17 News spoke with the company on the phone who said counties don’t have authorities to approve or deny the project, they just need to grant road permits.
“It’s a permit to cross over or under county roads nothing more, nothing less,” Mark Lawlor, Vice President of Development said.
The company said the next step is to possibly appeal the court’s decision or ask lawmakers to take another look at laws involving these transmission line projects. At this time, the company said they don’t think re-routing the project would be economically smart.
City spokesperson Steve Sapp told us, the city has been in contact with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance about this project and said they will wait on their direction for next steps.
