For years, Missouri landowners have fought to protect their property from corporate overreach, and now, residents of Chariton County are facing one of their biggest threats yet: the Grain Belt Express. This controversial high-voltage transmission line, spearheaded by the energy company Invenergy, has sparked fierce resistance from landowners and communities that will be affected by its path. At the heart of the issue lies the question of whether or not Missouri’s lawmakers will continue to allow corporations like Invenergy to seize land from unwilling property owners. Unfortunately, State Senator Rusty Black’s actions, including his acceptance of campaign contributions from Invenergy and sponsorship of SB 388, have raised serious concerns about his loyalty to his constituents over corporate interests.
Missouri landowners have long been outspoken against the use of eminent domain for private, for-profit projects like the Grain Belt Express. Eminent domain allows governments or certain corporations to seize private property for public use. However, in the case of the Grain Belt Express, the project isn’t a public utility; it’s a for-profit venture, a private company that stands to benefit financially from the use of Missouri land. This reality has driven many rural residents to question why their land should be taken for the benefit of a corporation with no stake in their community. Senator Black’s actions, particularly his ties to Invenergy and his sponsorship of SB 388, may be facilitating this process and making it easier for corporations like Invenergy to push forward their agenda, regardless of the consequences to local landowners.
Invenergy’s Financial Influence on Rusty Black
According to recent campaign finance reports, Invenergy Transmission, LLC donated $1,000 on September 25, 2023, and another $1,000 on October 31, 2024, to Rusty Black’s political action committee (PAC), the Great Northwest PAC. These contributions raise significant concerns about Black’s ties to Invenergy, as they suggest that he may be financially aligned with the very corporation pushing the Grain Belt Express project. The donations have sparked outrage among local landowners, who feel that Black is prioritizing corporate interests over the protection of Missouri’s property rights.
Instead of standing up for the people of Chariton County and surrounding areas, Black has largely remained silent on the issue, failing to take a strong stance against the use of eminent domain for private corporate gain. His inaction contrasts sharply with the vocal opposition from landowners, who feel that their property rights are being trampled by corporate greed.
SB 388: A Key to Unlocking Easier Land Grabs for Invenergy
On top of his campaign contributions, Black has sponsored SB 388, a bill that critics argue could make it easier for companies like Invenergy to seize land for projects like the Grain Belt Express. SB 388 is designed to streamline the process for private companies to use eminent domain to acquire land for large infrastructure projects. If passed, the bill would make it easier for corporations to bypass local opposition and secure land for their projects, even if the landowners are unwilling to sell.
One of the key provisions of SB 388 is its expansion of eminent domain powers for privately-owned companies. Under current Missouri law, only public utilities can use eminent domain to seize private property. However, SB 388 seeks to broaden this authority, allowing private entities like Invenergy—who would benefit financially from the Grain Belt Express—to claim land for their projects. This shift could drastically change the way land is taken from Missourians. It would essentially allow corporations, without any public oversight or necessity, to force the sale of private land for their own profit.
If passed, SB 388 could give Invenergy the legal tools it needs to bypass landowners who have resisted the project. The bill would reduce the power of local governments and communities to oppose such land grabs, placing even more control in the hands of large corporations. For landowners already facing pressure from Invenergy, SB 388 would tilt the scales even further in favor of the corporation, making it easier for them to seize private land without the consent of the property owner. This is a direct threat to the rights of Missouri citizens, particularly those in rural areas like Chariton County, where the Grain Belt Express is set to pass.
The Grain Belt Express and Its Impact on Local Landowners
The Grain Belt Express is a 700-mile high-voltage transmission line designed to transport wind energy from Kansas to Indiana, with Missouri serving as a critical corridor for the project. Proponents of the project claim that it will bring economic benefits, job creation, and a more stable energy grid. However, for landowners in Missouri, these potential benefits come at a significant cost: the loss of their property.
Invenergy has already made attempts to use eminent domain to acquire land for the Grain Belt Express. Many landowners have reported facing coercive tactics, misleading claims, and even threats of legal action if they refuse to sell or allow the transmission line to pass through their property. For many Missourians, this is more than just a property dispute; it’s a matter of defending the fundamental right to control their land.
The project’s backers argue that the Grain Belt Express is a public utility, justifying the use of eminent domain. However, as a privately-owned company, Invenergy stands to profit from the project, and it is difficult to justify the forced acquisition of land for private, for-profit use. Unlike traditional public utilities that serve the broader public interest, Invenergy’s project is driven by the desire for financial gain, not public service.
Rusty Black’s Role in Eroding Property Rights
Senator Black’s actions regarding SB 388 and his ties to Invenergy raise serious concerns about his commitment to protecting property rights in Missouri. By sponsoring a bill that expands eminent domain powers for private companies, Black is essentially paving the way for more land grabs like those that are threatening Chariton County. His failure to speak out against Invenergy’s use of eminent domain and his support for policies that benefit corporations at the expense of local landowners show where his true priorities lie.
It is clear that Black’s involvement with Invenergy and his sponsorship of SB 388 represent a significant threat to Missouri’s property rights. If SB 388 passes, it could set a dangerous precedent, making it easier for corporations to seize land from unwilling property owners. This would not only affect Chariton County but could have far-reaching consequences for landowners across the state.
The Cost to Chariton County and Missouri
The passage of SB 388 and the success of the Grain Belt Express would result in severe consequences for Chariton County and other affected areas. These include:
- Devaluation of Property: Transmission lines running through private property can significantly lower property values, making it harder for families to sell or pass down their farms.
- Agricultural Disruptions: The construction and maintenance of the transmission lines will disrupt farming operations, leading to long-term economic damage for local farmers.
- Environmental Damage: The project could cause ecological harm to local wildlife and disrupt natural landscapes.
- Loss of Local Control: The use of eminent domain under SB 388 would erode local power, making it easier for corporations to take land from unwilling landowners.
Chariton County deserves a senator who will stand up for its residents and protect their rights. Rusty Black, through his ties to Invenergy and his sponsorship of SB 388, has shown that he is willing to side with corporate interests over the people he was elected to serve.
Holding Rusty Black Accountable
Missouri landowners deserve a senator who will protect their property rights, reject corporate influence, and ensure that eminent domain is not abused for corporate profit. Rusty Black’s sponsorship of SB 388 and his acceptance of contributions from Invenergy-backed PACs suggest that he is more interested in serving corporate interests than standing up for his constituents. Missourians must demand accountability and ask themselves: Can they afford another term with a senator who supports land grabs for corporate gain?
If Black will not fight for the people of Chariton County, then it is up to the people to fight back—at the ballot box.
