JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouris former governor, now arguing as a private attorney, urged the states highest court on Tuesday to overturn a decision blocking a proposed 780-mile power line that would carry wind energy across the Midwest.
Former Gov. Jay Nixon, who backed the project before his term ended in January 2017, led a team of lawyers arguing before the Missouri Supreme Court on behalf Clean Line Energy Partners. The Houston-based renewable energy firm wants to build a $2.3 billion transmission line from western Kansas across Missouri and Illinois to an Indiana power grid serving eastern states.
Its one of the longest transmission lines proposed in the U.S. But it was rejected last year by Missouri utility commissioners whom Nixon appointed. The state Public Service Commission cited a state appeals court ruling in a separate case that determined a utility first must get approval from local governments to string power lines across roads before the state regulatory commission can grant permission.
Nixon argued that was an erroneous interpretation that ran contrary to more than 70 years or precedent.
He pointed judges posters displaying the highlighted text of Missouris law regarding certificates to construct electric lines and receive franchises. He argued that the law envisions two distinct certificates, and that only the franchise to serve customers which Clean Line isnt seeking requires pre-approval from local governments.
