In a 3-1 vote, the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) denied a rehearing to re-examine Clean Line Energy Partners' Grain Belt Express, a proposed 750-mile overhead, direct-current transmission line that is expected to transmit power to 200,000 Missouri homes annually.
At issue is whether the project should be granted a certificate of convenience and necessity. Reportedly, the PSC said that the Houston-based company failed to demonstrate sufficient reasoning to rehear the case.
Clean Line, nonetheless, remains committed to moving the Grain Belt Express project forward.
‘The project is too important to Missouri, Illinois and our nation's energy future not to pursue,’ according to a company statement. ‘While proceeding with the pending application to build, own and operate the Grain Belt Express project in Illinois, Clean Line will evaluate all available options to move the project forward in Missouri.’
In July, the PSC rejected Clean Line's Grain Belt Express proposal by a 3-2 vote. In explaining its decision, the PSC says it took into account farmers' concerns about crops and moving equipment around towers.
