Ameren Transmission Company's Illinois Rivers Project

What and Where: Ameren Transmission proposes to build a 345,000-volt transmission line across Illinois from Palmyra, MO, to Sugar Creek, IN. The total project is approximately 330 miles in length, including a 41-mile line between Meredosia and Ipava and a 28-mile long line linking the Rising and Sidney substations in the Champaign area. http://www.ilriverstransmission.com/needExternal Link

Why: The company cites reliability improvements, the growing demand for electricity, access to renewable energy, and enhancement of market efficiency in support of the transmission line project. http://www.ilriverstransmission.com/needExternal Link

Process: The law's expedited procedures required Ameren Transmission Company to hold at least three public meetings in each county in which the transmission lines would be located. The meetings were intended to provide area residents, landowners, and other interested persons the opportunity to learn more about the Illinois Rivers Project and its possible impact on the surroundings. They also allowed interested persons to communicate their views about the project to the company.

Ameren Transmission Company filed its application with the Illinois Commerce Commission for approval of the project on November 7, 2012. The company is seeking approval under the expedited procedures contained in section 8-406.1 of the Public Utility Act (220 ILCS 5/8-406.1http://www.ilriverstransmission.comExternal Link). The final date for Commission action is August 20, 2013.

The ICC will arrive at a decision in the case after considering evidence and testimony from all parties. Information about the case may be found on the ICC's e-Docket system under docket 12-0598. Interested persons may petition to intervene in the ICC proceeding. By intervening, a person may submit into the record of the case evidence and argument regarding the project. Rules for intervening may be found here: Intervening in a Docket [83 Ill. Adm. Code 200, Section 200.200]External Link

You may also submit public comments regarding the project through the ICC website, (click here to comment) or by calling 1-800-524-0795.

You may sign up for Ameren's email alerts at http://www.ilriverstransmission.com/newsExternal Link. For additional information and progress updates, you may visit project's website, http://www.ilriverstransmission.comExternal Link, or the ICC's e-Docket page for this case.

Landowner Information: Ameren Transmission Company, as required, included a preferred route and alternate route with its petition for the transmission line. Each of the landowners affected by these routes receive notices from the Chief Clerk of the ICC that explain the ICC’s regulatory process governing the proposed transmission line and information concerning acquisition of land or land rights-of-way by the transmission public utility.

Case Information: All information related to the case including the application, other filings, the case schedule and ICC rulings can be found on the ICC's e-Docket at http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/casedetails.aspx?no=12-0598.