Judge delivers blow to controversial Sand Hills transmission line project

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Paul Hammel

LINCOLN — A federal judge has delivered a blow to a controversial project to extend a high-voltage, electrical transmission line through Nebraska's Sand Hills.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge William Martinez revoked a federal permit that would have allowed the Nebraska Public Power District to kill or severely disturb the endangered American burying beetle as a consequence of building its R-Line project. The 225-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line would extend from near Sutherland, northward to Thedford, and then eastward to near Clearwater.

Tom Kent, the chief executive officer of NPPD, said Thursday morning that the ruling will delay but not stop the project.

"The project is still very important to the people of Nebraska and critical to improve the reliability of the electrical system," Kent said.



Read more: https://www.omaha.com/news/state_and_regional/judge-delivers-blow-to-controversial-sand-hills-transmission-line-project/article_b4a9fa60-abd6-583e-9870-859f6f5160b6.html

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I've been a Beatles fan since the 60's. OOPS. Never mind.

[iluvtennis]

1. Good news. There is an alternate route that can be used for the power lines so the endagered beetles

aren't impacted.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. Every route has a cost. What does face an impact along the alternative route? NT

[Judi Lynn]

2. Good news. Hope the public interest will be respected the next time they try it, too. n/t