The staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission is raising red flags over the Grain Belt Express power line project. That’s according to a group organized to oppose running high-voltage power lines across Missouri to connect wind farms in Kansas with electricity customers east of here.
In a news release, the group Block Grain Belt Express says the PSC staff have filed “mountains” of paperwork in the case, and BGBE officials say much of the testimony is negative.
They say staff has express doubts about the promised economic benefits to Missouri. In fact, according to the staff testimony, the project could increase both transmission congestion and electricity costs in Missouri.
The PSC staff act as investigators in matters before the Commission. Staff reports the Commission has thus far received 7,016 comments opposing the project, while only 60 comments of support were submitted.
There were safety concerns voiced by a pipeline company. Rockies Pipeline questioned the safety of siting GBE parallel to Rockies’ pipeline. According to the companies expert, “when HVDC circuits are located in proximity (within 1,000 feet or less) to an underground steel pipeline, both normal and abnormal operation of the HVDC circuit can compromise the operation and integrity of the pipeline system.
“When these threats are not properly mitigated, the HVDC line and its grounding system can cause pipeline operations to reduce operating efficiency by the reduction of operating pressure and delivery capacity, can necessitate costly and disruptive repairs to the pipeline, and can even lead to pipeline rupture.” Fifty-three percent of the chosen route is sited within 1 mile of a pipeline.
The PSC will be hearing cross-examination of filed testimony and weighing evidence at its formal hearing on the matter in November. The Commission will likely make their decision on GBE’s application after the first of next year.