Texas Company Gets Federal OK For Transmission Lines In Kansas

A Texas company has received a key federal approval for its proposed high-voltage power line that will deliver Kansas-generated wind energy to users in the eastern U.S.

Grain Belt Express Clean Line LLC has gotten approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to negotiate agreements to sell capacity on its proposed overhead transmission line.

The 750-mile-long Grain Belt Express plans to link wind farms in western Kansas with utilities, load-serving entities and clean energy generators in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. The company says it eventually will transport power for an estimated 1.4 billion households annually.

Officials with Houston-based Clean Line Energy don’t expect the line to go into commercial operation until 2018. FERC’s approval means the company can now begin talks with potential customers.