--Updated at 7:29 a.m., Wednesday--
The Missouri House gave initial approval on Tuesday to a bill that would block some private companies from buying farmers’ land through eminent domain for the purpose of harvesting energy.
The bill targets a project known as the Grain Belt Express, which would buy farmland, harvest wind energy and send it nationwide, including some cities in Missouri. It was amended on the floor to narrow the scope of the legislation.
Supporters of the bill say eminent domain for private use is an infringement on personal property rights, and that the farmland affected would not reap some of the cost benefits of the project.
Rep. Jim Hansen, the bill’s sponsor, says any benefits don’t outweigh the problems.
“I’m not opposed to green energy. But I am opposed to a private company saying ‘I’m gonna do this and you’re gonna like it or else,’ and that’s what we are dealing with here,” says Hansen.
Rep. Tracy McCreery worries that the amendment will start a domino effect, where Missouri lawmakers will be able to interfere in which projects come to the state.
“I think we are starting to go toward, in this direction, of picking winners and losers. We are interfering and roadblocking one particular company... Before too long every project is going to be coming in front of the General Assembly and we are going to be thumbs-uping and thumbs-downing,” says McCreery.
Opponents suggested that because the project would transport wind energy, supporters are not in favor of clean energy alternatives. They also argued the project would save millions in public utilities costs statewide because of potential deals with the provider.
Members of Missouri’s farm community gathered yesterday in the Capitol in support of the bill.