Aquila Inc. has bought three houses near its power plant in Peculiar, Mo., including one owned by the leaders of a citizens group fighting the plant in court.

Company spokesman Al Butkus said the Kansas City, Mo.-based utility wasn’t trying to buy off opposition to the $140 million plant. He said the homes went for market price and have been put back up for sale.

“These homeowners were very unhappy, so we bought their houses,” Butkus said.