JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A plan to run a large transmission line across 25 miles of southern Missouri has prompted a Barry County legislator to throw up a potential roadblock. And McDonald County commissioners have sent a protest letter to Arkansas officials.

State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, filed legislation last week that would block the Southwestern Electric Power Co. from using eminent domain to obtain more than 130 privately owned properties in Barry and McDonald counties that are needed for the power line. The bill would require the company to negotiate the purchase of property with each landowner in order to proceed.

“That’s very difficult,” Sater said. “You’re not going to get every property owner to sell their land. Hopefully this is a shot across the bow and an attempt to rectify the situation for our citizens.”

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