ICC Okays Grain Belt Transmission Line Project

The Illinois Commerce Commission, on a 3-2 vote, has approved construction of the Grain Belt Express electric transmission line across the state of Illnois.

The more than 600 kilovolt electric transmission line will stretch 202 miles across Illinois from near Canton to a converter station in Clark County. The order also states that the easement widths requested are "reasonable and appropriate" and should be approved.

The order also requires Grain Belt Express to pay a one-time construction fee to each county in which the project is constructed within 30 days after construction is completed. The construction fee is $20,000/mile.

Two of the five Commission members issued a dissenting opinion, saying Grain Belt had not proved it was a public utility in Illinois when it requested permission to build the transmission line.

The transmission line would carry electricity produced in Kansas to Indiana. The transmission line would be seen in this area in Shelby and Cumberland counties. Those counties would be paid over a 20-year period by Grain Belt Express, as would the affected landowners. The acquisition of land or easements would be negotiated with the landowners.

The matter of eminent domain was not included in the order from the ICC. It's something those who object to the project have raised as a concern.

Approval has now been obtained from Kansas, Illinois and Indiana, leaving Missouri as the last state where approval must be obtained.