Another Land Grab Attempt

It's official, the rematch is on. On August 30^th Grain Belt filed yet another application for Certificate of Convenience and Necessity at the Public Service Commission as we expected it would. With the continued support of the community, we at Block Grain Belt Express and the Missouri Landowners Alliance will continue to fight for the impacted landowners and for property rights. And, just like the last filing, with your support we will prevail.

Due to recent events, we have a very good chance of defeating the massive private transmission line that would take by eminent domain if necessary up to 5,000 acres only to transport power to northeast cities.

Just last year, the Public Service Commission denied the Grain Belt because it was not needed and that any benefits to the grid were outweighed by the burdens it would create for property owners on or near the line. 

Last month, the 3^rd Appellate Court of Illinois issued a decision on Clean Line Energy’s northern line that would run from NW Iowa to Illinois, which is called the Rock Island Line. It ruled that it is illegal for the line to be granted Public Utility Status and the power of eminent domain in Illinois. 

This is not only incredibly good news for opponents of the Rock Island Clean Line, the news is just as good for us. Grain Belt is also under appeal by opposition organizations in another Appellate Court of Illinois. It is now extremely likely the court will also rule it illegal for Grain Belt to be granted Public Utility status in Illinois.

Clean line has said it will appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. This would be very time consuming and expensive for the company and it is highly unlikely that the case would be heard by the court or that the decision would be reversed.

We ask that you please attend the very important meeting in Polo Friday Sept. 16^th 6:30 p.m. at the Christian Church across from Casey’s.

Together, we can defeat the unnecessary Grain Belt land grab.

Russ Pisciotta

Kidder, Mo