Illinois hearings slated for planned line that will deliver wind energy from Kan.
The hearings are set in communities in the western, central and eastern portions of the state.
The purpose is to hear from residents who would be directly affected by the proposed transmission line that will deliver wind energy from Kansas to several states in the east.
As proposed, the line would run through Pike, Scott, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Shelby, Cumberland and Clark counties in the state of Illinois.
Clean Line Energy is asking the ICC to grant a “certificate of public convenience and necessity” for the portion of 780-mile long direct current overhead line passing through the state.
Clean Line has received the necessary regulatory approvals in Kansas and Indiana and has an application pending in Missouri.
The development schedule calls for construction to begin in 2017 with plans to be completed and transmitting electricity as soon as 2019.
ICC Administrative Law Judge Janis VonQualen will preside over the forums and ICC Chairman Brien Sheahan and Commissioner John Rosales will be in attendance.
The forums will have two parts: 90 minutes for the public comments, followed by an informal question-and-answer session by ICC staff.
Dates, times and locations for the forums include: 5 p.m., July 28, Pike/Scott County Farm Bureau office, 1301 E. Washington, Pittsfield; 9:30 a.m., July 29, Pana Junior High Auditorium, 203 W. 8th Street, Pana; and 4 p.m., July 29, Gerald R. Forsythe Performing Arts Center, Marshall Junior High School, 806 N. 6th Street, Marshall.
The Grain Belt Express application is docket #15-0277 and can be viewed through the ICC’s e-docket system online at www.icc.illinois.gov.