COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (Sept. 11, 2023) – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted approval to Ameren Illinois to build a new transmission line to improve energy reliability for residents and businesses in the Peoria region.
The new 138-kV transmission line will connect Ameren’s substation in Alta with its substation in Pioneer Park in the City of Peoria, creating additional pathways for energy to flow to the region and reducing the frequency and duration of power outages. The project will be competitively bid and built by Illinois-based union electric workers.
"The approval of the Peoria County Reliability Project is a significant milestone toward improving energy reliability for the area," said Stephanie Thomson, project manager of the Peoria County Reliability Project. "In addition to opening up new pathways to bring more energy to the region, we’re keeping the construction jobs here at home and providing an economic boost to downstate Illinois.”
Ameren Illinois, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), held a series of informational meetings to obtain input from members of the public and key stakeholders to identify the optimal route for the new line. The certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the ICC provides route approval and the go ahead to begin construction.
"We’re appreciative of the community’s feedback to help us develop this route and receive approval to build it with Illinois-based workers,” said Thomson. “Discussions with Peoria County landowners, county officials and other state and local agencies will continue as this beneficial project progresses.”
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2024, and the new line is projected to be in service and providing benefits to the local community by December 2025.
Additional information is available on the project’s website at PeoriaCountyReliability.com, by sending an email to PeoriaCountyReliability@Ameren.com or by calling the project hotline at 309.740.0216.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. Our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.