In collaboration with Wabash Valley Power Alliance (WVPA), Citizens Electric Corporation and Ameren Missouri, Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) is proposing to construct a new, approximately 14-19 mile 138kV transmission line and state-of-the-art substations to improve energy reliability for local communities in Southeast Missouri. The new line will connect two new substations in Perry and Cape Girardeau Counties.

The eastern corridor of the project area was removed as a route option based upon further review of the eastern area's steep terrain, limited construction access and environmental sensitivities.

The Limestone Ridge Project will improve energy reliability, provide additional energy support to local manufacturing facilities and allow for efficient future expansion of the transmission grid. The proposed in-service date for the project is December 2023.

ATXI will seek feedback and input from the public through a series of public engagement events (summer – fall 2020) before submitting a route and application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to the Missouri Public Service Commission in Q1 2021. The project is proposed to be in service by December 2023.

The route has not yet been determined. Our project team is in the process of reviewing and gathering data from stakeholders, landowners, and community members and will develop corridors, preliminary routes and a final route based on defined routing criteria and stakeholder and community member input. Feedback and input will be collected through (summer – fall 2020) before submitting a route and application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to the Missouri Public Service Commission in Q1 2021.

Corridors and routes are developed considering defined routing criteria. The goal of the routing process is to take advantage of Opportunities while understanding and minimizing impacts to Sensitivities and adhering to technical guidelines.

The routing process starts with a large study area, which is then narrowed into wide corridors. Preliminary routes segments (more narrow) are then developed within the corridors using routing criteria. Stakeholder and community input is sought throughout the process. The goal is to identify a final route that will balance minimizing impacts to Sensitivities, with the cost of building and maintaining a safe and reliable transmission line within the statutory requirements.

Due to COVID-19, we are taking actions to keep the project community and the project team safe and healthy. Rather than hosting an in-person open house, various other engagement opportunities will be made available at each phase of the routing process including project information mailings, virtual public Webex meetings, online open house with interactive comment map and available information packets (received by mail or pick-up at Citizens Electric). In addition, a project website, local hotline number and project email are available for the public to share input any time. All input gathered is reviewed by the routing team.

We appreciate your participation. We not only want your comments, we encourage them. You can submit questions, leave a comment, and provide input on the website. We also have a dedicated Project hotline available at 573.232.3003. If you leave a message, a Project representative will return your call. You can also send us an email at limestoneridgeproject@ameren.com.

During the routing process, we contact regulatory and resource agencies to notify them of the project and seek input regarding resources which could potentially be impacted within the study area. As the routing process continues, we continue to engage these agencies regarding minimizing potential impacts, additional surveys, if necessary, and permits that may be required for construction.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2023 and will take approximately one year – completed by December 2023.

We anticipate using galvanized steel monopole structures. The structures will be approximately 100-160 ft. tall. We estimate 6-7 structures per mile with an average span range of 800-1,000 ft. between structures. The Limestone Ridge Project steel monopole structures will have 7-12 ft. diameter concrete foundations. The foundations will range from 30- 40 ft. deep, depending upon the soil conditions.

Trees can interfere with transmission lines by posing a threat to the operational integrity of our system. For safety and reliability reasons, trees, tree limbs, and incompatible vegetation throughout the project area, mostly within the right-of-way, will be removed from the easement area during construction. Our standard easement will also give us the right to remove "hazard trees" – trees that are adjacent to the easement and have some structural defect such that they pose a potential risk to our transmission system. Even though our structures will, in some cases, be taller than the adjacent vegetation, we must also be mindful of the potential for storms to create windblown debris that could impact our facilities. We take our obligation to provide safe and reliable service to our customers very seriously, and work to make sure we are managing vegetation in a safe and responsible manner.

The costs associated with building this transmission line underground would be much higher than constructing the line overhead. We strive to be cost conscious, recognizing that the costs of this Project will ultimately be paid for by Ameren customers. As a result, Ameren Transmission is not proposing to use underground construction on this Project.

Transmission lines are similar to the interstate highway system in the way they will allow energy from generators to travel short or long distances, as needed, at any given moment. There are no restrictions on the type of energy that will flow on the new line. Ultimately, the energy carried on the line will be used throughout the regional grid, including by customers in the Project area and elsewhere.

For a couple of reasons. First, the existing river crossings in the area are not capable of supporting a new transmission circuit. Thus, rebuilding those crossings, or constructing and maintaining new crossings, would be very expensive. Second, the primary beneficiaries of the project are located in Missouri. Thus, we believe it is more equitable for the facilities that will be used to support those beneficiaries be located in Missouri. Finally, I would add that routing in Illinois would pose its own challenges, as most of that land adjacent to the river is also forested and/or in a floodplain.

We anticipate finalizing the specific location of Wabash's substation located in Perry County by fall 2020.

As a company, we continue to assess the changing situation, plan and take proactive actions to protect the safety of our workers, customers and communities and mitigate other risks while remaining focused on delivering on our mission. We recognize that there are uncertainties associated with COVID-19. Despite these distractions, we encourage our workers to remain focused on performing their various duties safely and working together as a team as we continue to power the quality of life for our customers in Missouri and Illinois. Our workers remain vigilant in your health and safety practices, including social distancing, around the clock as a way to limit exposure and mitigate the risk of broad contamination.