Full Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program gains key regulatory approvals
Key Takeaways:
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Jan. 27, 2026) – Communities in northern Missouri will soon see improved reliability and resiliency, along with a host of additional benefits, thanks to recently approved upgrades to the energy grid. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) received regulatory approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to proceed with the Fairport-Denny-Iowa/Missouri border (FDIM) project and the Maywood-Mississippi River Crossing project. These system enhancements will add needed transmission capacity, improve reliability and resiliency, and promote access to energy resources, which helps to lower energy supply costs and support economic growth for local communities and the surrounding region.
The FDIM and Maywood-Mississippi River Crossing projects are the second part of the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program – a portfolio of transmission projects developed by ATXI, Ameren Missouri and the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) – to receive approval from the PSC.
"We are building a stronger, more reliable and resilient energy grid of the future with constant focus on keeping costs low for customers," said Shawn Schukar, chairman and president of ATXI. "As customers require more and more energy in Missouri and across the Midwest, enhancing and expanding the transmission system and modernizing the grid will support economic growth while delivering on our customers’ need for reliable and low-cost energy. Projects in this program will soon provide this to our communities."
ATXI plans to utilize local contractors, union workers and road monitors to build and manage the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program. ATXI prioritizes keeping jobs and economic benefits in the community while also working to keep the total cost of projects as low as possible and within requirements set by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
The project team gathered public feedback through outreach efforts, including multiple rounds of open houses. ATXI invited community members to examine potential routes, ask questions and share input before filing its proposed route with the PSC. ATXI will continue working with landowners to make final route adjustments that minimize impacts to property.
"We appreciated the engagement and valuable information that we received from everyone who visited our open houses or contacted the project team," said Jacob Fritschle, project manager for this portion of the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program. "Those insights are helpful as we adjust our plans before working to finalize them with the Commission."
The FDIM project consists of approximately 44 miles of new 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, built across two segments, in Worth, Gentry and DeKalb counties, along with the construction of a new 345 kV substation also located in DeKalb County. MJMEUC will own 49% of the FDIM project after it is completed.
The river crossing project consists of approximately 9 miles of new 345 kV transmission line built between the existing Maywood substation near Palmyra, Missouri, and the Mississippi River. That substation, located in Marion County, will receive upgrades.
Construction for the FDIM and river crossing projects is expected to begin in 2027, with varying start dates for each line segment. All projects within the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program are scheduled to be in service by 2030.
"Our focus is on delivering impactful, long-term benefits for communities. This program will create value for people in this region for decades to come," Schukar said. "That value starts with the jobs created and investments made during the construction process, and it will extend long into the future as the transmission system supports the needs of our customers. A robust system that economically provides access to low-cost energy sources and delivers high levels of reliability is a significant driver of sustained growth and prosperity for new and expanding businesses."
In total, the three projects in the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program – Denny-Zachary-Thomas Hill-Maywood (DZTM), FDIM and the Maywood-Mississippi River Crossing – will include the construction of over 255 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines, a new substation, and upgrades to existing Ameren substations.
MISO approved these projects as part of its Long-Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) Tranche 1 Portfolio. MISO carefully studies and evaluates energy customers' present and future needs through the LRTP process. It then selects the most cost-effective transmission projects that will create the most value for communities in its territory.
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.