Why the Grain Belt Express Environmental Report Favors Invenergy: A Closer Look at Potential Bias

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Invenergy’s Grain Belt Express (GBE) was published in January 2025. This document is necessary before construction can start to ensure that GBE follows the National Environmental Policy Act.

Many people are unaware of what the DEIS contains, how it might affect them, or where to find it. The 45-day comment period for this complex 400-page document feels very short. Here’s a simplified overview of its contents, which often seem biased in favor of the company seeking to build the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines.

The DEIS acknowledges that building the GBE will cause significant environmental harm. It highlights potential impacts on soil, vegetation, land use, water, air quality, economic stability, and public health. However, it downplays these issues with vague language and fine print.

It claims that some damage might be temporary or that it could be repaired by Invenergy afterward. But, for many, the risks are serious. Construction could leak harmful chemicals like paint thinners and gasoline into the soil and water. Air quality may suffer from exhaust fumes. Local communities could see a drop in tax revenue, impacting jobs and businesses. Losses could be short-term or long-lasting, making it hard for some to recover.

The DEIS suggests that while air pollution will remain within “acceptable limits,” this may change due to maintenance needs. It also confirms that certain wildlife and vegetation will be permanently lost, and farmland will be affected, especially where transmission towers are placed.

Regarding public health, the DEIS points out that magnetic fields and electromagnetic radiation from the lines are not expected to cause serious health risks but still acknowledges potential dangers. Additionally, hazardous chemicals from the construction process pose health risks for nearby residents.

The landscape will also change, as the visible infrastructure might ruin the local scenery. Parks and recreational areas could face temporary or long-term disruptions, impacting leisure activities like hiking or hunting.

Despite these negative effects, the DEIS claims that environmental justice will be preserved. This assertion raises eyebrows, especially with the acknowledgment of various permanent damages and the unpredictable nature of Invenergy’s commitment to cleanup.

Interestingly, the DEIS suggests that if the proposed project does not meet federal environmental standards, construction won’t occur. However, it also assumes that Invenergy will always manage damage control effectively. This contradiction leaves many wondering about the project’s real implications and who truly benefits.

— Tammy Hammond,
Landowner and CEO, Rosewood Services, Pawnee Rock, Kansas

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