A group of about 18 landowners from Allen and Anderson counties voiced their opposition to a transmission line project that will cut across Southeast Kansas from the Wolf Creek power plant to Missouri.
Property owners Brian Regehr from Allen County and Rochelle McGhee Smart from Anderson County spoke on behalf of the group at Tuesday’s Allen County commission meeting.
They asked commissioners for their support as they work to influence the route of the transmission lines built by NextEra Energy, the company selected to construct the project.
The line is expected to reduce congestion on existing power lines, which provides savings in energy costs as power is able to move more efficiently. NextEra says the project will save customers about $24 million in energy costs in the first year and another $377 million over the next 40 years, as well as provide $28 million in tax revenue over 40 years.
But the landowners said they are concerned about high-voltage lines near their homes, agriculture buildings and livestock herds. They said studies have shown adverse health effects, including leukemia and other types of cancer, from exposure to electromagnetic fields, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says such studies are inconclusive.
Regehr also said he is upset because NextEra crews have gone onto his property without prior notice, sometimes causing damage. He said he asked to be notified before anyone enters his property, but they have done so without notification at least twice to drill and survey the land.
“Is this the kind of partner I want on my land, forever?” he said to commissioners.
He said he would not be able to conduct aerial spraying of his crops, and was concerned that GPS systems would be affected by the electromagnetic field. He worries about stray voltage that could zap his cattle or a nearby pond.
SMART, who owns property near Westphalia in southwestern Anderson County, said she spoke against the project as the Kansas Corporation Commission is evaluating a request for a convenience certificate, which allows NextEra to be recognized as a utility company in Kansas and is the first step toward granting them the power to take property by eminent domain.
She said a group of Anderson County landowners, a zoning committee and commissioners want to require at least a quarter-mile setback for the lines.
It’s a strategy that has worked in other areas.
Anderson County made a similar zoning change that effectively prohibits windmills from being built in the county. The setback requirements are so stringent, it would be difficult if not nearly impossible to build something that isn’t within that area.
“What do you need from us?” Allen County Commissioner David Lee asked. He recently met with two Anderson County commissioners and their county counselor to discuss the matter.
“Support your citizens,” Smart said. “Let us help you with the technical side of setbacks.”
Commission Chairman Jerry Daniels said the issue of setbacks can become quite controversial. He wanted more information, such as how many landowners have signed leases, and how many are opposed.
