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Appeals court sides with PSC and Grain Belt Express

A Missouri state appeals court has ruled on the side of state utility regulators over rural landowners in the Grain Belt Express case.

Missouri Farm Bureau has been fighting the case for several years but the appellate court rejected claims that the Missouri Public Service Commission had been wrong to approve the construction of the Grain Belt wind energy transmission line earlier this year.

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst says they “vigorously disagree” with the appeals court ruling that authorizes the takeover of land using eminent domain.

Hurst argues Grain Belt Express is NOT a public utility.

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst made the following statement regarding the Grain Belt Express:

“We vigorously disagree with the court’s ruling upholding the Public Service Commission’s decision authorizing the use of eminent domain for the Grain Belt Express merchant transmission line. Grain Belt Express is not a public utility. Investors who want to negotiate rates privately and enter into contracts to sell electricity to the highest bidders should not be able to condemn land in order to build their dream project. Contrary to the court’s assertion, the Missouri Supreme Court has not suggested otherwise.”