DOE withdraws $4.9 billion support for Grain Belt Express energy line amid landowner opposition

The U.S. Department of Energy has withdrawn its support for the Grain Belt Express, a proposed multi-state power transmission line, by canceling a $4.9 billion federal loan. The project faced significant opposition from landowners in Illinois, who raised concerns about property rights and eminent domain practices. State Representative Chris Miller, a Republican from Oakland, applauded the decision, labeling the project a "scam" fueled by international investors and environmental advocacy groups. "This marks a significant victory for taxpayers nationwide," Miller stated. "It was an attack on property rights and the livelihoods of Illinois farmers, and I am proud to stand with my constituents against this scheme." The 800-mile Grain Belt Express was designed to transmit wind energy from Kansas eastward but encountered resistance from rural communities, particularly over eminent domain issues. At a 2024 hearing in Meade County, Kansas, resident Barbra Parker expressed her opposition, highlighting the personal impact, as the proposed line would be situated approximately 150 feet from her home—a property with generational significance. Proponents argued that the project would enhance...