Farmers Union advocates yearly pay for power lines

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.

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

Landowners currently get 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.

The farmers union says its proposal would speed up those projects and wind farm developments they serve.

The organization held a forum in Cheyenne on Thursday on the issue.