The Kansas Corporation Commission has approved the construction of a new 780-mile electric transmission line through Kansas.

 Invenergy Transmission, the owners of the Grain Belt Express Clean Line Project, says construction on the 370 miles of the line running through Kansas could begin in late 2024.

 The transmission line will run through Kansas and a converter station in Ford County, then continue through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana carrying wind generated energy to eastern states.

 The approval notes that Phase 1 is expected to be economically viable absent Phase 2. Even if Phase 2 never materializes, Phase 1 will be operational and capable of moving wind from Western Kansas east, on a merchant line paid for by subscribers, not Kansas ratepayers.

 You can view the approval order here.

 A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.