MO Group Opposes High Voltage Line

A group of Missouri landowners seeks to halt a proposed project that would build a high voltage transmission line across the state.

The Grain Belt Express line would channel electricity from wind farms in Kansas to markets on the east coast. The line would run across Missouri and Illinois into Indiana.  A total of fourteen counties in Missouri would be affected. Five of those are in northeast Missouri:  Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, and Shelby.

The Block Grain Belt Express group held meetings Saturday in Shelbina and Monroe City. The opposition group hopes to build grass roots support to stop Clean Line Energy Partners from gaining easements through eminent domain. The energy company says the project could spawn hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars of related energy projects. The Block Grain Belt Express group raises possible health concerns and negative effects on land values and farming operations.

More Block Grain Belt Express meetings are scheduled at 11 a.m. March 1 at the Bowling Green Community Center and at 3 p.m. March 1 in the Community Room of the Audrain County Courthouse in Mexico.  A meeting is scheduled in Ralls County at 11 a.m. March 8 at the Lion’s Club in New London.