Grain Belt Express Files Suit Against Gower Farmer for Easement

Grain Belt Express, a proposed high-voltage transmission line has filed its first case in Missouri courts to force a landowner to provide an easement across their land.

The lawsuit filed against Bradley L. Horn of Gower also names Public Water Supply District No. 1 as a defendant.  In the petition, Grain Belt Express says negotiations with Horn were unsuccessful in its attempt to gain the easement across the farmland where they want to place the power lines.

Under Missouri law, the judge may appoint three disinterested residents of the county who will assess the damages and award compensation to Horn.

The Missouri Public Service Commission approved the Grain Belt Express in 2019.  The decision faced criticism due to the use of eminent domain to gain some of the easements required.

When completed the project will cross northern Missouri and is expected to cost $2 billion.