Real Estate & Property Law

Future battles with ITC

By Alan Ackerman

The article describes the concerns of a party who may be condemned in the future.  The problem with electric transmission damages is that there are so many areas which must be reviewed.  What is the damage to the economic unity of a farming operation?  What are 'rental' values?  What is the 'use' of the parcel after the taking and has the highest and best use been modified?

These are the types of issues that outstanding Kansas lawyers, like John Hamilton of Topeka, will be required to deal with when facing a difficult and disciplined acquiring agency like ITC. 

Emporia Gazette

Few will argue electric transmission lines are a necessary part of our everyday lives. They've helped us see in the dark, powered our appliances and made life easier.

But as with many things, there comes a point when upgrades or additional lines and infrastructure are necessary.

Last year the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) decided to invest in the future of our state's transmission lines. When completed it will provide energy from Spearville to Knoll (a couple miles northwest of Hays) and from Knoll to Axtell, Neb.

This project will be the largest electrical infrastructure investment in Kansas for nearly 25 years. Construction is slated to begin next spring. The line will be energized in June 2012.

ITC Great Plains (electric transmission company and subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp. from Michigan) will see to it the new transmission lines are built that are designed to help further expand wind energy in the region.

While most people understand the need for additional power and upgrades in the older power grid, they have concerns about the construction of the 345,000-volt power line.

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on August 19, 2010 (boomark / email).