Dave and Florence Minar, long-time Minnesota organic dairy farmers and retailers, want builders of a new, high-voltage power line to buy their entire 450-acre farm, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Under Minnesota law, power companies are obligated to purchase an entire farm when a power line or pipeline threatens the viability of a farm. The Minars milk 150 organic cows and have a retail store on a 132-acre parcel. A massive, steel power pole sits on less than one acre of the 132 acre parcel.
The Minars contend that the 345,000-volt line could create stray voltage on their farm, and might frighten customers from coming to their retail store. But the builders of the 800-mile power line say commercial land is not covered by the Minnesota law.
The power line will not be completed or energized until 2015. But the two sides are going to court to settle the matter. Stay tuned.
