Transmission line opponents detail issuesApr 3 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Ray Scherer St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
More than 100 rural landowners voiced concerns Wednesday night with a company's plans to build an electric transmission line through parts of Northwest Missouri. Block Grain Belt Express-Missouri held an informational session at the Lions Club building in Faucett, Mo. The meeting was designed to build support for a movement to prevent Clean Line Energy Partners from creating a wind-powered, 700-mile, 3,500-megawatt direct current line across the region. According to the company, power generated by the system would be used where needed in East Coast states. Caldwell County resident Jennifer Gatrel said even though the proposed line does not cross her property, she still intends to stand with neighbors in a bid to break the project. "I am sure we would move, because we have two small children," Ms. Gatrel said. "We're guessing there would be significant property devaluation." Those attending viewed maps of the route, placed cash donations in fish bowls, and picked up brochures explaining Block Grain Belt's disagreements. Yard signs were available, along with information on how to contact lawmakers and the Missouri Public Service Commission. The signs read: "No Need-No Benefit, No Eminent Domain, Deny the Mega Transmission Lines, www.BlockGBEmo.com" Residents entering the club at first queued up to sign a petition expressing their displeasure with the plan. "We had a bigger turnout than we expected," said Russell Pisciotta, who is helping lead the effort. "It's a bad deal for landowners." Ms. Gatrel said members intend to meet at 10 a.m. this morning with the Buchanan County Commission to present questions about Grain Belt. "We believe this project has no merit," she said. "They're venture capitalists. It's a speculative enterprise." Officials said the network would impact about 1,000 Missouri landowners. They expressed outrage over eminent domain procedures they say would forcibly take their property to build the line. Other worries focused on a perceived lack of compensation to adjacent landowners and permanent changes to the rural landscape. Additional discussions were held on the possible environmental health risks associated with the electric line. "We're asking that nobody sign (paperwork) without consulting with an attorney," Ms. Gatrel said. "I feel like we are winning by a pretty good measure." In information provided earlier to the News-Press, Clean Line development director Mark Lawlor said the company continues to negotiate with landowners "in a fair and respectful manner." "We strive to be responsive to all stakeholders and to be transparent throughout the process of developing this project," he said. Ray Scherer can be reached at ray.scherer@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPScherer. http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=32041939& |