Ameren Transmission and Ameren Illinois are working to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid and are hosting multiple public open houses this week to gather input from local stakeholders. This is the second round of in-person open houses to take place in Adams, Brown, Morgan and Pike counties, as well as Champaign, Ford and Iroquois counties.
In the western counties, the first open house is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at The Ambiance, 5225 Kochs Lane, Quincy. The second open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Mt. Sterling Knights of Columbus, 505 West Quincy Road, Mt. Sterling. The third open house is Thursday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Meredosia American Legion Post 516, 856 Main Street, Meredosia.
Open house sessions
On the eastern side of the state, the first open house is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Village of Sidney Community Center, 211 East Main Street, Sidney. The second open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Kruse Event Center, 207 North Lawrence Street, Gibson City. The third open house is Thursday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Watseka Elks Lodge No. 1791, 111 North 3rd Street, Watseka.
Community members previously provided an initial round of input in August. Using the stakeholder feedback along with routing criteria, the project team developed more defined routes which will be available for review at the open house sessions.
Energy delivery system
The program also includes building three new substations and upgrades to several existing substations
Ameren Illinois Company (AIC) and Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) are working together to prepare the grid for the future with the Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program. This involves replacing aging infrastructure, adding transmission capacity to ensure energy reliability and resiliency, and promoting more access to energy sources. Upgrading and investing in the energy delivery system benefits the entire community.
The Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program includes approximately 380 miles of new or upgraded transmission line. Nearly 85% of the lines will be rebuilt along existing corridors, which means only a small portion of the work will require new land or right-of-way. The program also includes building three new substations and upgrades to several existing substations. All projects within the Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program are scheduled to be in service by 2030.
Planning and routing process
During each open house, the Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program team will include project overview information and an opportunity to provide input on the route segments. All open houses will include the same information with no formal presentation. There will also be a self-paced, virtual engagement and comment map available now through Oct. 28.
“We hope interested members of the public will join us to learn more about the project, ask questions and share their feedback so we can take into account any needs and concerns from the community,” said Sam Morris, senior project manager for the Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program. "We collected valuable feedback in our first round of open house sessions, and we are already utilizing that information in our planning and routing process.”
