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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

       [LETTERHEAD OF MORRIS, LAING, EVANS, BROCK & KENNEDY, CHARTERED]


June 6, 2002


Western Plains Energy, L.L.C.
c/o Jeff Torluemke
414 Main Street
PO Box 340
Quinter, KS 67752

Re:   Western Plains Energy, L.L.C.

Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel for Western Plains Energy, L.L.C., a Kansas
limited liability company (the "Company"), in connection with a Registration
Statement on Form SB-2 covering the public offering and sale of up to 3,967
Class A and Class B Capital Units of the Company (the "Capital Units"). We are
rendering this opinion in accordance with Item 601 (b) (5) of Regulation S-B.

For purposes of this opinion, we have reviewed such questions of law and
examined such corporate records, certificates, and other documents as we have
considered necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion, and we have
particularly reviewed:

1. The Amended and Restated Articles of Organization filed December 10,
2001, and the Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement dated April 19,
2002.

2. All resolutions adopted by the Board of Managers of the Company deemed
necessary and minutes or draft minutes of the meetings of the Board of Managers
deemed necessary relating to this offering.

3. The Prospectus and the Registration Statement of which it forms a part, to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") covering
the offer and sale of the Capital Units; the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus as they become effective being hereinafter called the "Registration
Statement" and the "Prospectus," respectively.


In connection with our examination, we have assumed that the signatures on all
executed documents are genuine, all certified copies conform to the originals,
and all certificates containing relevant facts are correct. In rendering our
opinion we have relied upon, with their consent: (i) the representation of the
Company and its members set forth in the aforementioned

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documents as to factual matters; and (ii) certificates and assurances from
public officials as we have deemed necessary for purposes of expressing opinions
expressed herein. We have not undertaken any independent investigation to
determine or verify any information and representations made by the Company and
its members in the foregoing documents and we rely upon such information and
representations in expressing our opinion.

The opinion expressed herein shall be effective only as of the date of this
opinion letter. The opinion set forth herein is based upon existing law and
regulations, all of which are subject to change prospectively and retroactively.
Our opinion is based on the facts and the above documents as they exist on the
date of this letter, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement such
opinion as to future changes of law or fact. This opinion letter is limited to
the matters stated herein and no opinion is to be implied or inferred beyond the
matters expressly stated herein.

Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a limited
liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Kansas. The
Company has full power and authority to own its properties and conduct its
business as currently being carried on and as described in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus.

2. The Capital Units to be issued and sold by the Company under the Registration
Statement have been duly authorized and, when issued, delivered and paid for in
accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement, will have been validly
issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable.

We are admitted to practice law in the State of Kansas, and we express no
opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Kansas and
the federal laws of the United States of America.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission of as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of
Item 601 (b) (23) of the Regulation S-B under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and to the reference to our firm therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chartered

Morris, Laing, Evans, Brock & Kennedy, Chartered