ELECTED COMMISSIONERS FROM THREE COUNTIES MET IN IOLA MONDAY NIGHT TO DISCUSS PROTECTIONS FOR RURAL LANDOWNERS WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY A PLAN BY NEXTERA TRANSMISSION, IN ITS MISSION TO BUILD A TRANSMISSION LINE FROM THE WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR PLANT TO BLACKBERRY, MISSOURI AND THE ABILITY TO SEIZE LAND THROUGH EMINENT DOMAIN IN ORDER TO DO SO.
FIRST DISTRICT ANDERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER LES MCGHEE SAYS THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO DETERMINE OPTIONS FOR AFFECTED LANDOWNERS, INCLUDING COUNTY ADOPTION OF SETBACK REQUIREMENTS THAT MIGHT PUT MORE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE POWERLINE AND FAMILY RESIDENCES. MCGHEE SAYS ANDERSON COUNTY LEADERS MET WITH NEXTERA OFFICIALS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, SINCE THE PROJECT WAS ANNOUNCED, BUT THAT MANY OF THEIR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT AND THE PROCESS REMAINED UNANSWERED.
STEVEN STENGEL WITH NEXTERA SAYS LANDOWNERS WHO ENTER INTO VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS WITH THE COMPANY WOULD BE PAID A ONE-TIME SUM FOR EASEMENT RIGHTS. HE ASSES THAT WHILE EMINENT DOMAIN WAS AN OPTION, IT WAS ALWAYS A LAST RESORT.
