Farmers and Ranchers Seek Payments for Power Lines

CHEYENNE (AP) - An advocacy group for farmers and ranchers in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico says landowners should receive annual payments for having power lines built across their property.

The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union also wants landowners to have a bigger say in placement of power lines.

According to an official with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association however, such a concept would increase costs, which will ultimately be paid by the consumer.

Landowners currently got one-time payments from developers who build power lines on their land.  The ability of developers to condemn land has fueled several disputes that have delayed power line projects.

In a forum in Cheyenne on Thursday, November 17, the farmers union said their proposal would speed up those projects and wind farm developments they serve.