Missouri House seeks to erect barrier to wind power line

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri House has given initial approval to legislation that would block developers of a high-voltage power line from using eminent domain to string it across Missouri.

The bill endorsed Tuesday targets the proposed Grain Belt Express -- a 750-mile transmission line that would carry wind power from Kansas across the Midwest to a power grid serving eastern states. A portion of the power also would be sold to municipal utilities in Missouri.

The $2.3 billion project recently received approval from Missouri regulators. That decision could allow developers to use eminent domain to acquire easement rights from landowners unwilling to sell. The legislation seeks to block that.

Chicago-based Invenergy is in the process of trying to acquire the project from Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners.