(A Letter to the Editor from Jennifer Gatrel, spokeswoman for Block Grain Belt Express)
Over the past year, I have had the great honor and privilege of working alongside a diverse group of committed landowners who oppose the precedent-setting land grab known as the Grain Belt Express.

It has been one of the great joys of my life to see Democrats and Republicans working side-by-side, and both organic and commercial farmers fighting the same battle. Overall, it has been an incredibly unifying experience, one that gives me great hope.

A great number of Missourians have risen up to defend their property rights, and those of their neighbors. Both Missouri Farm Bureau and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association oppose Grain Belt, while the Sierra Club has been its most vocal supporter.

The Missouri Public Service Commission is the governing body that will determine if Grain Belt Express will get its requested power of condemnation to erect a mega DC powerline through Missouri in order to sell power to the east coast. Due to the more than 7,000 comments the PSC received about Grain Belt Express, they decided to hold a public hearing in each impacted county. The sole purpose of the public hearings is for the PSC to listen to the community about the issue. Thus far it has been a wonderful experience. Over 1,200 people have shown up, with the vast majority in strong opposition. The main objection has been to Grain Belt Express, a private company, seeking to become a public utility with eminent domain authority, although there is no significant benefit to the state or need for its project. Impacted landowners testified to the broken promises and unsavory practices of the company. Folks also testified about the serious health and safety concerns, loss of property values, and Grain Belt’s unsubstantiated promises of tax revenues.

The final four hearings will do much to determine the outcome of this case. It is extremely important to remember that if the precedent is set that a private company can force an individual to sell his or her property for its own financial gain, than property rights are meaningless. So, while your land or business may not be impacted by the Grain Belt Express today, it certainly could be in the future by this company or another.

As of July 2014, Grain Belt had acquired easement rights to only 2 miles of the 206 miles of Missouri that they wish to cross. One thing is clear — the huge majority of affected landowners don’t want Grain Belt Express putting towers on their land. Will you stand with your neighbors and attend a hearing? All we are asking for is the right to tell this private company “no” if we don’t wish to sell.

PSC hearing schedules are as follows:
* September 3rd, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. – Clinton County, Cameron Community Center, 219 Ashland Ave., Cameron, MO
* September 3rd, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. – Buchanan County, Moila Shriner’s Ballroom, 701 North Noyes Blvd., St Joseph, MO
* September 4th, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. – Caldwell County, Hamilton Community Arts Theatre, E. Penney Drive Hamilton, MO.
* September 4th, 2014 at 6:00 p.m., Carroll County, Rupe Community Center, 710 Harvest Hills Dr., Carrollton, MO