Wind energy transmission line OK'd; Electricity generated in western Kansas will be sold in eastern states
Topeka Capital-Journal|Megan Hart|November 7, 2013
The approval depends on the developer, Clean Line Energy, getting approvals from the Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana state utility commissions before starting construction in Kansas. The order also specified that construction must begin within five years, and that Clean Line can’t recover any of its costs from Kansas ratepayers.
The approval depends on the developer, Clean Line Energy, getting approvals from the Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana state utility commissions before starting construction in Kansas. The order also specified that construction must begin within five years, and that Clean Line can’t recover any of its costs from Kansas ratepayers.
A plan to build 600-kilovolt transmission line can move forward along the developer’s chosen route, the Kansas Corporation Commission ordered Thursday.
The high voltage direct current Grain Belt Express transmission line would run through northeast Kansas as part of a plan to export wind energy generated in western Kansas to Indiana and possibly markets farther east. About 370 of the 750 miles of transmission line would be in Kansas, according to documents filed with the KCC.
The route will run through Ford, Hodgeman, Edwards, Pawnee, Barton, Russell, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown and Doniphan counties, then continue through Missouri and Illinois into Indiana.
The approval depends on the developer, Clean …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]A plan to build 600-kilovolt transmission line can move forward along the developer’s chosen route, the Kansas Corporation Commission ordered Thursday.
The high voltage direct current Grain Belt Express transmission line would run through northeast Kansas as part of a plan to export wind energy generated in western Kansas to Indiana and possibly markets farther east. About 370 of the 750 miles of transmission line would be in Kansas, according to documents filed with the KCC.
The route will run through Ford, Hodgeman, Edwards, Pawnee, Barton, Russell, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown and Doniphan counties, then continue through Missouri and Illinois into Indiana.
The approval depends on the developer, Clean Line Energy, getting approvals from the Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana state utility commissions before starting construction in Kansas. The order also specified that construction must begin within five years, and that Clean Line can’t recover any of its costs from Kansas ratepayers.
The three KCC commissioners approve transmission projects based on whether they believe the project is necessary and whether the chosen route is reasonable. In a news release, the KCC said the project represents a $900 million investment, resulting in 2,340 construction jobs and 135 permanent ones. The wind farm that will supply the line will generate at least 15,542 construction jobs and 528 permanent jobs, according to the release.
Some landowners whose property is under the transmission route objected, because of concerns about property values and the possible health effects of electrical transmission on humans and livestock.