( KLZA ) A Kansas City company has announced plans for a $400 million high-power transmission line in northwest Missouri.
      Kansas City Power and Light will partner with the Omaha Public Power District to build the 150- to 190-mile transmission line. The precise route hasn't been determined, but the line is intended to connect Sibley, Missouri with Nebraska City.
      The company says planners will spend the next year identifying the possible routes. 16 counties in Northwest Missouri and Southeast Nebraska will be assessed.  Nebraska counties in the study area are Richardson, Nemaha and Otoe.  Missouri counties in the study are Holt, Atchision, Andrew, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clay, Clinton, Davies, DeKalb, Gentry, Harrison, Nodaway and Ray. Officials hope to have the transmission line in service by June 2017.
      Plans for the project were developed by the Southwest Power Pool, a regional transmission organization that helps manage the electric grid. The organization says more transmission is needed in the area in part to relieve congestion on the grid.
     The project is in its earliest stages.  It is expected to provide 50 – 70 construction jobs. Local meetings with landowners, public officials, community leaders, the news media and the general public will communicate all aspects of the project and its purpose and serve as an opportunity to obtain feedback throughout the project.
    Questions and comments are welcomed through the project website www.midwesttransmissionproject.com or by calling toll free, 855-222-1291.