(graphic via cleanlineenergy.com)
MARYSVILLE, Kan. (AP) — A group of northeast Kansas residents is working to keep a high-voltage power line system away from their farms. The so-called Grain Belt Express developed by Clean Line Energy would transmit about 3,500 megawatts of electricity along 600 kilovolt lines from wind farms in southwest Kansas to Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. The project still needs state approval. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the group of residents started a petition at Change.org arguing Kansas should keep its wind energy in the state and that Clean Line should be required to bury its power lines. Clean Line estimates the project will create about 5,000 construction jobs and 500 long-term operations jobs. The company also says exporting wind energy is similar to exporting cattle or wheat and buried lines are more expensive.