A Texas utility may renew its focus on Missouri after winning regulatory approval in Illinois for a controversial high-voltage power line.

The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday (Nov. 12) approved Clean Line Energy’s request to build the Grain Belt Express.

Wind generators in Kansas would produce electricity and transmit it along a 750-mile route to Indiana and on to the East Coast. Pike and Scott counties in Illinois are on the route.

So are Randolph, Monroe and Ralls counties in Missouri, but regulators in the Show-Me State have already rejected the project. Despite the denial, Clean Line has vowed to continue seeking approval.

Clean Line has touted the economic and environmental impact, but opponents have voiced concerns about land values and the utility’s use of eminent domain.

Illinois has ordered Clean Line to have enough money to cover the total cost before construction begins and to get permission before any expansion. The utility also must get state approval before trying to recover any project costs from rate-payers.