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Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program

Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) and Ameren Illinois are working together to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid for the future.

The Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program includes approximately 380 miles of new or upgraded transmission line across central Illinois, with nearly 85% rebuilt along existing corridors. The program also includes building three new substations and upgrades to several existing substations. Just as additional roads need to be built or expanded over time, the program will prepare the grid for the future by replacing aging infrastructure, adding transmission capacity to ensure energy reliability and resiliency, and promoting more access to energy sources for communities.

 

Program Benefits

  • Increasing transmission capacity to meet changing energy needs.
  • Supporting lower energy supply costs.
  • Improving energy reliability for the surrounding region and local communities.
  • Promoting access to diverse energy sources.
  • Growing economic development opportunities.

map of upgraded transmission grid in Central IL
View the full-sized map

 

Project Overview

Routing & Public Process

Project Timeline

Central IL transformation timeline graphic starting in 2023 and ending in 2030

 

Getting Involved

Stakeholder and Public Involvement

The team will undertake a robust stakeholder and community engagement process as we prepare to apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Community leaders and members of the public are encouraged to get involved in several ways throughout the routing process including attending in-person public open houses and visiting our online engagement opportunities. Join our program email or mailing list to receive updates on the program in your county.

Engagement update

Our series 2 of engagement closed on November 6, 2023. We appreciate the active participation and input provided by community members and stakeholders. All input received is currently being reviewed and considered by our routing team. We anticipate filing with the Illinois Commerce Commission early next year.

Landowners can continue review the online engagement and Preliminary Route Maps at any time. If you have additional input, questions or comments to share with our team, please email or call the hotline.

Maps

Program Maps

For a high-level overview of the program, view the PDFs below.

Study Area (PDF) – June 2023
Route Corridors (PDF) – August 2023
Preliminary Route Alternatives (PDF) – October 2023

General

Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) and Ameren Illinois are working together to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid for the future. The program includes approximately 380 miles of new or upgraded transmission line across central Illinois, with nearly 85% rebuilt along existing corridors. The program also includes building three new substations and upgrades to several existing substations.
Just as additional roads need to be built or expanded over time, the program will prepare the grid for the future by replacing aging infrastructure, adding transmission capacity to ensure energy reliability and resiliency, and promoting more access to energy sources for communities. Whether energy reaches your home by Ameren Illinois or another company, energy arrives in our community via these transmission lines. Upgrading and investing in the system will produce benefits for everyone.
We anticipate beginning construction in fall 2026. There will be different construction start and end dates in each community. The Program will be in service by 2030.
Adams, Brown, Champaign, Ford, Fulton, Hancock, Iroquois, McDonough, McLean, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, and Tazewell counties.

Public and Stakeholder Involvement

Community leaders and members of the public can get involved in several ways throughout the routing process including attending public meetings and visiting our online engagement opportunities we’ll host later this summer and fall.
STAGE MEETINGS DATE
Study Area Community Representative Forums (CRF) June 2023
Route Segments Round 1 of Public Open Houses August 2023
Route Alternatives Round 2 of Public Open Houses October 2023
The purpose of our public engagement is for stakeholders and landowners to learn about the Program, discuss questions/issues with our Program team, and provide input on sensitivities and opportunities to help our team review the existing corridors and further develop a route where new right of way is needed. We appreciate your participation, and we hold these meetings and discussions to gather input, answer questions, and understand the Program Area from your perspective. Our public process is aligned with the Program's milestones.
We expect to submit our petition to the ICC in early 2024. We anticipate a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the ICC in early 2025.
We started by identifying all affected communities as well as all other units of government such as school districts and soil and water conservation districts. We also identified other organizations that may have an interest in this including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Office. In addition, we can hold conference calls individually with community officials or organizations, when requested.
We appreciate your participation. We not only want your comments, but we also encourage them. You can submit questions or comments on the website. We also have a dedicated hotline 800.707.0803. If you leave a message, a Program representative will return your call. You can also send us an email at connect@AmerenGridIL.com.

Environmental and Agency Coordination

Ameren Illinois will coordinate with various environmental related agencies including, but not necessarily limited to, the, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Office. They have also all been invited to attend our meetings. Ameren has a strong commitment to incorporating environmental management and sustainability principles into our work.
Ameren uses an avian-safe structure design and flight diverters where necessary as part of our corporate Avian Protection Plan to minimize impacts to migratory birds.
As a part of Ameren’s evaluation of potential routes, the minimization of environmental impacts, including those to threatened and endangered species, is a priority. As a part of this routing evaluation, Ameren will prioritize those route that will avoid or minimize impacts to threatened and endangered species. Ameren will work with state and federal agencies to identify potential impacts and compensate/mitigate for such occurrences as required for any unavoidable impacts. In most cases through implantation of various conservation measures Ameren is able to avoid or substantially minimize impacts to most species. Many threatened and endangered species inhabit our ROWs after construction, especially where native vegetation and habitats are established as part of the restoration and ongoing maintenance efforts throughout the life of the project. Ameren will work with landowners during the restoration process to identify opportunities for creating quality habitats that may be beneficial to protected species, as well as other more common species.

Contact Us

We have a designated project hotline and email address that the public can use to get in touch with members of our project team. Have a question? Please contact us using one of the methods below.

Call Us

800.707.0803

Email Us

connect@AmerenGridIL.com

 

 

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