TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Kansans is hearing of a plan to build a 94-mile power transmission line from Wolf Creek Power Plant just one mile across the Missouri border to increase service reliability.
The Kansas Corporation Commission says it will host two public hearings to give residents a chance to learn more and have their thoughts heard on an electric transmission line siting application that was filed by NextEra Energy.
The KCC has indicated that NextEra has requested permission to lay a 94-mile transmission line that would connect the Wolf Creek substation in Coffey Co. to the Blackberry substation in Jasper Co., Missouri, less than a mile across the state line. . If the route is approved, the line will pass through five Kansas counties: Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford.
The Commission noted that the first hearing will begin at 6:00 pm March 1 at Iola High School, 300 E. Jackson St. During both hearings, KCC personnel and NextEra officials will be available early at 3:00 pm , to answer the landowner’s questions. There will be no virtual option for remote participation for this hearing. However, the hearing will be broadcast live on his YouTube channel.
KCC said a second hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. March 2 at the Girard Public Library, 128 W. Prairie Ave. This meeting will have a virtual option as attendees can register to attend via Zoom. To register for the virtual option for this meeting, click HERE.
In addition to opportunities for public input, the Commission said written and public comments on the question will be accepted until 5pm on 9 March. Such comments can be submitted HERE.
By law, the commission said you must have an application order available by March 24 to approve or deny the proposed route. The proposal was made in response to the Southwest Power Pool’s identification as a need to increase transmission capacity and ensure a reliable supply of power.
“Based on the testimony received, the Commission believes that the transmission project will have a beneficial effect on customers by reducing overall energy costs, removing inefficiency, relieving transmission congestion, and improving transmission system reliability,” it said. the Commission.
The Commission indicated that it considered arguments that the line should send nuclear power to Missouri or export wind power outside the SPP footprint and found they were unsupported. Trials have found that the purpose of the line is to relieve congestion and improve reliability for the Kansans.
Justin Grady, KCC’s Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service and Finance, said the cost of the line would be spread evenly across the entire 17-state SPP region based on the load sharing of broadcast customers. Kansas would pay 16.5% of these costs, which would add up to four or five cents a month. However, Kansans is expected to see an investment return of $4-$7 for every dollar spent on the line over its 40 years of operation.
