Opposition to transmission line grows w/ link to Kansas Corporation Commission Web site

By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — If Judy Evans reaches her goal, hundreds of people will turn out for a public hearing Wednesday to oppose KAMO Electric Cooperative’s proposal to build a high-voltage transmission line through Cherokee County.

“We’re hoping we’ll have enough opposition to this that we’ll be able to prevent it,” said Evans, of rural Columbus. Opponents include state Rep. Doug Gatewood, D-Columbus.

Terry Brown, director of risk management and special projects for KAMO, said no specific route for the transmission line has been determined, but the project would be mindful of the concerns of property owners.

The proposal

The public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Baxter Springs High School. The first part of the hearing will allow individuals to ask questions of staff members with the Kansas Corporation Commission, and representatives from KAMO and Associated Electric Cooperative. In the second part of the hearing, people will be allowed to make formal statements to the KCC.

KAMO is proposing a 345-kilovolt, high-capacity transmission line from Jasper, Mo., to Chouteau, Okla., including 31 miles through Southeast Kansas.

Evans said the transmission lines and the large, metal towers on which they are mounted would ruin the scenery and wreck property values. She also contends that the electric lines would interfere with cell-phone reception.

She said that because KAMO isn’t revealing a specific route yet, no one can be sure where the line would be built. She said property owners probably wouldn’t find out until someone with the cooperative knocked on their door to buy an easement.

“If it’s going to destroy anybody’s property, we’re going to oppose it,” Evans said. “They need to oppose it now, wherever it comes.”

KAMO and Associated Electric have filed an application with the Kansas Corporation Commission requesting a certificate of convenience and necessity for transmission rights. Wednesday’s public hearing is on the issue of whether the KCC should certify KAMO and Associated Electric public utilities in Kansas.

Associated Electric Cooperative provides power to regional and local cooperatives in Missouri, including Barton County Electric, New-Mac Electric and Ozark Electric.

KAMO reassurance

“These power lines are not going to be adjacent to any homes,” said Brown, the KAMO official.