JEFFERSON CITY— The Missouri Public Service Commission voted 3 to 2 Wednesday to deny a request from a power line project that would pass through part of Missouri including Buchanan County.

The PSC denied a request filed by Grain Belt Express Clean Line LLC (GBE) for a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct, own, operate and maintain a high voltage, direct current transmission line and associated facilities within Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Randolph, Monroe and Ralls counties in Missouri as well as an associated converter station in Ralls County.

According to the application, approximately 206 miles of the transmission line will traverse the state of Missouri from Kansas into Illinois and Indiana (Project).

“After applying the facts to the law to reach its conclusions, the Commission concludes that the substantial and competent evidence in the record supports the conclusion that GBE has failed to meet, by a preponderance of the evidence, its burden of proof to demonstrate that the Project as described in its application for a certificate of convenience and necessity is necessary or convenient for the public service,” said the Commission.

The Commission stated the five criteria that it will use to determine whether to grant a certificate of convenience and necessity to GBE are: 1) There must be a need for the service; 2) The applicant must be qualified to provide the proposed service; 3) The applicant must have the financial ability to provide the service; 4) The applicant’s proposal must be economically feasible; and 5) The service must promote the public interest.

The Commission stated in its decision that GBE met its burden of proof that it is qualified and has the financial ability to provide the service. However, the Commission concluded GBE failed to prove a need for the project, that it was economically feasible and that it promotes the public interest.

The Commission determined GBE failed to prove the Project promotes the public interest. “In this case the evidence shows that any actual benefits to the general public from the Project are outweighed by the burdens on affected landowners. The Commission concludes that GBE has failed to meet its burden of proof to demonstrate that the Project as described in its application for a certificate of convenience and necessity promotes the public interest.”

Commissioners Stephen Stoll, William Kenney and Scott Rupp voted for the order. Chairman Robert Kenney and Commissioner Daniel Hall dissented.