Fairview Heights Reliability Enhancement Project
Modernizing natural gas delivery in Belleville, Caseyville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, Shiloh, and Swansea
Notice: The Fairview Heights Reliability Enhancement project has been put on hold. We will update the webpage with any developments as they arise. Thank you for your understanding.
About the Project
To meet the needs of our customers, while strengthening the safety, integrity and reliability of our region’s natural gas system, Ameren Illinois plans to construct an energy project in 2028 that will modernize natural gas delivery in Belleville, Caseyville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, Shiloh, and Swansea.
Ameren Illinois plans to replace nearly 10 miles of a 14-inch natural gas pipeline that was originally installed in the 1950s and 1960s. A new 16-inch steel line would extend from Green Mount Road and Lebanon Avenue in Shiloh, passing through Longacre Drive and Ruby Lane in Fairview Heights before ending at Illinois Route 157 and Bunkum Road in Caseyville.
The utility also is evaluating the opportunity to repurpose the existing below-ground and above-ground infrastructure. Ameren Illinois may re-utilize and repurpose some existing infrastructure near Longacre Drive and Ruby Lane in Fairview Heights.
Ameren Illinois will propose, design, and construct a new gas transmission pipeline route to minimize its impact on the community and the environment.
Study Area Map
Project Timeline
Public Input
Ameren Illinois places a high value on community engagement and customer feedback. The Fairview Heights Reliability Enhancement Project team is hosting an Open House, where community members have an opportunity to learn more about the project, speak with subject matter specialists, and provide input into the routing process.
Open House Phase 1
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Fountains Conference Center at the Sheraton Four Points
319 Fountains Parkway
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Frequently Asked Questions
Project Information
The purpose of the Fairview Heights Reliability Enhancement Project is to modernize and strengthen the safety, integrity and reliability of Ameren Illinois’ natural gas system, and to enhance operational flexibility to meet our customer’s needs.
As part of Ameren Illinois' efforts to comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulations, and to modernize its natural gas system, Ameren Illinois is evaluating the opportunity to repurpose the existing below-ground and above-ground infrastructure. Ameren Illinois may re-utilize and re-purpose some existing infrastructure near Longacre Drive and Ruby Lane in Fairview Heights.
Ameren Illinois will also propose a route for, and design and construct a new gas transmission pipeline. The final length of the project will be determined based on the routing study and selection of a final preferred route.
Yes. Ameren Illinois will host two open houses to communicate project information and allow community members to give feedback so that project planners can better understand the community’s needs and concerns. You can find the date and location of these open houses on this webpage.
We aim to meet and listen to the residents of Belleville, Caseyville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, Shiloh, and Swansea at every stage of this project. If you would like to speak with a project representative, please feel free to call us at 618-416-9336 or email us at FairviewHeightsGasProject@Ameren.com.
Infrastructure includes transmission and distribution pipelines, valve stations, above-ground regulator stations, and other equipment to operate the natural gas delivery system.
System reliability is the ability of the natural gas system to meet the demand and energy requirements of customers during scheduled and unscheduled outages.
A new 16-inch steel natural gas pipeline would extend from Green Mount Road and Lebanon Avenue in Shiloh, passing through Longacre Drive and Ruby Lane in Fairview Heights before ending at Illinois Route 157 and Bunkum Road in Caseyville. Please refer to the Project map on this webpage for additional information about project locations.
Funding for the construction of this project will come from the utility’s existing capital expenditure budget. Any rate increase must be approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) through a regulatory review process.
Safety
Ameren Illinois’ continued compliance with evolving regulations will allow for the deployment of advanced technologies to enhance safety and reliability. Ameren Illinois is applying safety standards required by applicable law as it upgrades the natural gas delivery system throughout its 43,700 square-mile territory. The new infrastructure installed as part of this project will maintain natural gas supplies to Belleville, Caseyville, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, Shiloh, and Swansea and will continue to allow for efficient and comprehensive inspections of the pipeline.
Natural gas is a safe, clean-burning, and efficient fuel used for heating homes and water, drying clothes, and preparing food. Residential appliances are subject to federal regulations governing safe operation in the home.
Once completed, this new pipeline will allow for state-of-the-art monitoring and assessment of the natural gas system. Ameren Illinois has an extensive monitoring program to detect potential leaks or disturbances. The utility has highly trained employees who monitor our pipeline systems and perform regular maintenance to safely deliver natural gas. Ameren Illinois will provide a timely response to detected issues.
Real Estate
A right-of-way easement will give Ameren Illinois the ability to use another’s land for a specific, limited purpose. It does not grant ownership of the land to Ameren Illinois. Representatives of Ameren Illinois will contact landowners to negotiate the purchase of an easement so that the pipeline can cross their land.
Ameren Illinois will be requesting a permanent right-of-way easement that is up to 50 feet wide along the length of the new transmission line and any associated distribution pipelines. Additional easements will be requested at the pipeline’s origin and terminus points, at any required regulator or valve station locations, and for other project infrastructure as required. Additionally, temporary rights of way will be requested for construction purposes.
Ameren Illinois will comply with applicable regulations regarding the protection of sensitive areas and habitats. Where applicable, Ameren Illinois will comply with requirements to assess and protect tree species as required by those regulations. Ameren Illinois will discuss trees or other vegetation that would be impacted with the affected property owners and relevant stakeholders. Impacts to wooded corridors is a routing sensitivity that we will carefully consider going forward. If the pipeline is routed through wooded areas, that area will be replanted with non-woody species because of pipeline right-of-way requirements. Unless otherwise requested by the property owner, the utility’s preference is to plant formerly wooded areas with a native prairie seed mixture that also provides pollinator habitat. If you have areas of specific concern, it would be extremely valuable to the project team if you would identify those areas of concern with notes on our interactive map, which is located on the project website.
Pipelines are typically sited in areas where there would be little to no impact on the value of the land. The addition of natural gas access may be beneficial to some properties. It is not anticipated that any change would occur to property taxes.
Service
Ameren Illinois will manage the construction process to avoid service interruptions.
Regulations require a new service request be submitted by calling the Ameren Illinois service request hotline at 1.800.755.5000.
Contact Us
Have a question for our project team? Feel free to contact us by phone or email.
Project Hotline: 618.416.9336
FairviewHeightsGasProject@Ameren.com
