Jefferson City, Mo. (Aug. 28, 2025) – The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a coalition proposal for a 200-mile power line route across northern Missouri to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid of the future. The project will primarily follow existing transmission corridors, with 140 miles designed as a double-circuit configuration, based on strong community input.
The Denny-Zachary-Thomas Hill-Maywood (DZTM) Project is the second phase of the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program, developed by Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) in partnership with Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) and Ameren Missouri. The PSC’s unanimous decision provides route approval and greenlights the DZTM Project, which will traverse 10 counties in northern Missouri.
The double-circuit design provides several benefits over a single circuit. Double-circuit designs require fewer structures per mile, reducing construction activity along those sections of the line. The new structures also have a narrower corridor than their single-circuit counterparts. Feedback gathered at public events also indicated that the double-circuit design is anticipated to have a smaller impact on farming activities and production.
“This is a critical project for extending energy access across Missouri and the Midwest, improving grid connectivity to meet the energy needs of communities across the state,” said Shawn Schukar, chairman and president of ATXI. “This project will deliver more reliable, resilient service to customers across these counties and beyond.”
ATXI hosted public meetings to share plans for potential DZTM routes and gather input from stakeholders before filing route options with the PSC.
“The strong turnout and active participation at our open houses directly influenced the decision-making process,” said Nick Rudis, project manager for the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program. “Thanks to the community's input, we were able to provide the Commission with information that helped shape the project in a way that better reflects local preferences and addresses concerns.”
The DZTM Project is in DeKalb, Daviess, Grundy, Sullivan, Adair, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Macon and Randolph counties. The Project also includes upgrades to existing Ameren substations. Whenever possible, the project will be constructed and managed by local contractors, union workers, and road monitors, keeping jobs and economic benefits in the community. MJMEUC will own 49% of the Project.
ATXI will continue working with landowners to make final route adjustments that minimize impacts to property. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with service anticipated in 2029.
“By ensuring that major projects like DZTM are led by trusted Missouri-based companies, we’re making certain that more investment stays right here in our state,” Schukar said. “This approach strengthens our workforce, supports local suppliers and fuels the growth of our communities, creating a cycle where our investments directly benefit our own neighborhoods and economy.”
Additional information is available at Ameren.com/NorthernMOGrid, by email at connect@AmerenGridMO.com, or by calling the project hotline at 833.799.1633.
About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.5 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.