Opponents of the Grain Belt Express power line project took their case to Jefferson City Monday. A delegation of landowners met with the staff of the Public Service Commission.

The delegation from Block Grain Belt Express – Missouri presented staff with 3,088 petitions opposing the project. This is on top of the more than 3,000 letters the commission has already received

Block Grain Belt Express spokesperson Jennifer Gatrel stated, “The staff was extremely kind to us and we appreciated their willingness to listen.

“Each landowner present was given the opportunity to address the staff with their concerns. Many of us felt that meeting with them was extremely important and feel very positive about the interaction.”

The staff acts as advisors to the commissioners, who have the authority to grant or deny Clean Line’s request for public utility status. The landowners also presented the petitions to Michelle Gerstner from the office of Governor Jay Nixon. Gerstner says the governor has not taken a position on the Grain Belt situation, because he doesn’t want to appear to be unduly influencing the commissioners he appoints.

Block Grain Belt members also had the opportunity to have a discussion with the new appointee to the Office of Public Counsel, Dustin Allison.

Group president Russ Pisciotta said Allison seemed very receptive to visiting with the group. They finished the day with small group meetings with elected representatives about proposed legislation intended to prevent Grain Belt Express from using eminent domain.

Jennifer Gatrel stated, “We are not optimistic that a bill blocking Grain Belt will be passed before they adjourn. However, we are very hopeful that we might get legislation passed in the next session. Everyone we talked to knew about Grain Belt Express and the unprecedented opposition. We were told numerous times it is a very hot topic. We encourage everyone to continue calling and writing letters to your reps. We need to push this issue to the forefront so that they will immediately address it when they come back to work in January. “