Sierrans Stand with Environmentalists, Labor Unions and Wind Experts for Wind Energy in Missouri
By Gretchen Waddell Barwick, MO Chapter Sierra Club Staff

Recently, there have been eight public hearings from the Public Service Commission to determine if a wind-energy transmission line will come to Missouri. The project, called the Grain Belt Express (GBE), is part of a series of wind-energy transmission lines Clean Line Energy plans to install throughout the county in an effort to increase our country’s access to wind energy.

The GBE would bring 500 MW of energy to Missouri – enough for 200,000 homes. This project would roughtly double the amount of wind energy Missouri generates. (See www.grainbeltexpresscleanline.com)

Dozens of Sierra Club members from across the state testified at the hearings or attended in support of the project. We were joined by other environmentalist groups, local labor unions, wind experts and concerned community members.

Reasons to support the project include reducing the cost of energy, helping stop climate change and reducing the cost of coal on our health. The consensus is clear: this project is a step toward a better future. We all need to take action to ensure Missouri’s future generations will have access to clean air, water and earth!

A final decision is expected to from the Public Service Commission in December after evidentiary hearings. Sierra Club members will have the opportunity to enter comments in October—watch your email inboxes for more information!