Wind power line proposal irks some Midwest farmers

ST. LOUIS — The windy plains of Kansas could be a treasure trove in the nation's effort to harness clean energy. But a major proposal to move wind-generated electricity east from Kansas is meeting opposition from farmers who don't want high-power transmission lines on their land.

Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners wants to build a 750-mile-long high-voltage overhead transmission line. Hundreds of tall towers would carry a power line moving wind-generated energy from Kansas to Indiana.

The company says it will be an economic boon, especially for Kansas. Environmental groups say it could be a step forward for clean energy. But landowners worry about property rights and the possibility that values will plummet, if the towers will impede farming, and whether the wires could create health issues.

The project still requires regulatory approval.