The Hutchinson News (http://bit.ly/1giBt4F) reports Grain Belt Express Clean Line LLC has gotten approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to negotiate agreements to sell capacity on its proposed overhead transmission line.

The 750-mile-long Grain Belt Express plans to link wind farms in western Kansas with utilities, load-serving entities and clean energy generators in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. The company says it eventually will transport power for an estimated 1.4 billion households annually.

Officials with Houston-based Clean Line Energy don’t expect the line to go into commercial operation until 2018. FERC’s approval means the company can now begin talks with potential customers.