(AP) — Regulators on Thursday gave the go-ahead for a multistate wind-energy power line to provide the equivalent of four nuclear power plants' worth of energy to Missouri consumers. At issue is the Grain Belt Express, a power line that will carry wind energy from Kansas across Missouri and Illinois before hooking into a power grid in Indiana that serves eastern states. Under the new plan, approved 4-1 by Missouri's Public Service Commission, Grain Belt Express plans to bring as much as 2,500 megawatts of power to Missouri. Previously, state utility regulators approved a line that would have brought only 500 megawatts of energy to the state. The project will help unlock $7.5 billion in energy cost savings in Missouri and Illinois, according to its developers.

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Persons: Invenergy, ”, Ray McCarty, Kayla Hahn, she's, ” Hahn, “ Organizations: COLUMBIA, — Regulators, Missouri's Public Service Commission, Investment, Associated Industries of Locations: Mo, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Chicago, Associated Industries of Missouri