Join our family of curious Kansas Citians

Discover unheard stories about Kansas City, every Thursday.

Thank you for subscribing!

Check your inbox, you should see something from us.

Sign Me Up
Hit enter to search or ESC to close

curiousKC | Any Questions About a Big Renewable Energy Project Coming to the Midwest? Fuel Our Reporting by Sending in Your Questions

Share this story
Above image credit: The Grain Belt Express project is a "massive high-powered transmission line delivering renewable energy." (Courtesy | Invenergy)
Sponsor Message Become a Flatland sponsor
1 minute read

Since 2010, the Grain Belt Express has sought permits and land access rights to construct an 800-mile, high-voltage transmission line across Kansas, Missouri and Illinois to transport renewable wind energy to these regions. 

The line would run from Dodge City, Kansas, through the northern regions of the Sunflower State, entering Missouri at St. Joseph and traversing through the north-central parts of the state before entering Illinois just south of Hannibal, Missouri. 

Invenergy, a privately owned company, is building and will own the project. It has achieved public utility status in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. This will mean residents of these states can benefit from low-cost renewable energy, but it also means the company has the right to assemble property easements via eminent domain. 



The biggest complaints against the project come from landowners who do not want their land used by private companies, and a fear that locals would not benefit from the energy as it is transferred to big cities. 

Construction on the project has yet to begin as landowners and legislators in Missouri continue to oppose eminent domain.

If you’re an expert, advocate or invested citizen, now is your chance to have your voice heard. Submit your questions below for our team to sift through. Once we’ve read your queries, you can expect an in-depth report and answers to your questions. The deadline for submissions is April 8.

Send tips to Cami Koons, ckoons@flatlandkc.org, our rural affairs reporter in cooperation with Report for America. Koons is the lead reporter on our story.  

Error: Embedded data could not be displayed.

Cami Koons covers rural affairs for Kansas City PBS in cooperation with Report for America. The work of our Report for America corps members is made possible, in part, through the generous support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Like what you are reading?

Discover more unheard stories about Kansas City, every Thursday.

Thank you for subscribing!

Check your inbox, you should see something from us.

Enter Email
Your support helps Flatland’s storytellers cover the issues that matter to this community. Give what you can to help in-depth, nonprofit journalism thrive in Kansas City. Support Local Journalism
Sponsor Message Become a Flatland sponsor

Ready to read next

New Visit KC Visitor Center Embraces Travelers

Read Story

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *