Lincoln, Neb. ? Landowners along the planned route of an electric transmission line that will run from Axtell, Neb., to the Kansas border have lost their appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

The court last week backed a decision by the Nebraska Power Review Board. In May last year, the board approved a Nebraska Public Power District application to build the line.

The Kearney Hub says the court rejected arguments by the landowners in eastern Kearney and Franklin counties. They argued the project primarily would benefit Kansas interests but that NPPD customers would pay a disproportionate share of the costs. They also said the NPPD route was not the most economical.

NPPD says the line will ease congestion on other lines and raise the reliability of the regional grid.