Recently a man named Francis from Wheatland expressed frustration that Iowa was allowing the private company, Rock Island Clean Line, to seize his land through eminent domain. I understand the loss he’s feeling. It wouldn’t be fair to him or to the unfortunate people who would see the value of their homes and businesses depreciated by being neighbors of structures taller than the Statue of Liberty carrying three times the power produced by Hoover Dam.

This project is not to the benefit of the public. It is the scheme of investors to make more money. The company calls itself “Clean Line” but would also carry electricity generated by backup power stations (coal, nuclear, natural gas), not just wind farms.

What many do not know is that this project is offering landowners contracts that give Rock Island Clean Line easements for perpetuity. The contracts don’t limit the easements to this one transmission project making many wonder why they are wanting easements across Iowa and Illinois for perpetuity. This is a private company owned by out of state investors hiding behind the “Clean Energy” curtain.