Approval of Long-Range Transmission Projects in Illinois Will Deliver Reliable, Resilient Energy Future
The Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program includes ~ 380 miles of new or upgraded transmission lines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts
Alex Thompson, Clean Grid Alliance, athompson@cleangridalliance.org
Curt Stokes, Environmental Defense Fund, custokes@edf.org
Jim Chilsen, Citizens Utility Board, jchilsen@citizensutilityboard.org
SPRINGFIELD, IL. (July 2, 2025) – Today the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) granted final approval of Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) and Ameren Illinois's Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program. The program is a landmark effort to modernize and expand Illinois's energy grid with 380 miles of new and expanded transmission lines, a vast majority of which will be rebuilt along existing corridors and co-located with existing facilities. Clean Grid Alliance (CGA), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Illinois Citizens Utility Board (CUB) celebrated the decision, which will enable the delivery of affordable, reliable energy across the state.
The ICC approved the certificate of public convenience and necessity for the 380-mile program that will connect the energy grid across Illinois from Indiana to Iowa and Missouri, improving reliability and enabling access to low-cost renewable energy resources. The program is a significant part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's (MISO) Long-Range Transmission Plan (LRTP) Tranche 1 project that spans across the Upper Midwest, and it is expected to provide up to $2.8 billion in financial benefits for the state of Illinois over the next 20 years.
"Infrastructure projects like the Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program are critical to ensuring low-cost, reliable energy can flow freely across the region," said Elizabeth Wheeler, Senior Counsel and Director of Regulatory Advocacy at Clean Grid Alliance. "Modernizing our electric grid with new and upgraded transmission lines is absolutely necessary to support a secure economic future for Illinois."
"The Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program will deliver a moredeliver more reliable, affordable energy future for Illinois residents," said Curt Stokes, Senior Attorney at Environmental Defense Fund. "This project is crucial for grid reliability, unlocking access to affordable renewable energy and delivering billions in benefits from lower carbon emissions."
"We thank the Illinois Commerce Commission for approving this transmission program, which will help advance Illinois's goal of securing clean and affordable energy for its residents," said Jim Chilsen, Communications Director of the Citizens Utility Board. "Smart, cost-effective transmission planning is critical to the clean energy transition, and an absolute must to help Illinois achieve a clean, affordable energy future for all electric customers."
The Tranche 1 portfolio of LRTP projects was approved by MISO in July, 2022 to provide $37 billion in regional economic benefits over 20 years and improve grid reliability and integration of new, low-cost renewable energy resources. As "least-regrets" projects, the Tranche 1 transmission lines are foundational to solving long-standing reliability and efficiency concerns along the regional electricity grid.
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About Clean Grid Alliance: Clean Grid Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose 70+ members include wind, solar and storage developers, manufacturers, nonprofit environmental, public interest and clean energy advocacy organizations, and other businesses that support renewable energy. CGA has a long history of success in expanding market opportunities through technical expertise in transmission and regulatory processes, policy work, and public education and outreach to build support. Learn more: cleangridalliance.org
About Environmental Defense Fund: With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. Learn more: edf.org
About Illinois Citizens Utility Board: For more than 40 years the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has been Illinois' leading nonprofit utility watchdog group. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-669-5556 or visit CUB's website, CitizensUtilityBoard.org.
