Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program
Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI), Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) and Ameren Missouri are working together to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid for the future.
The Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program includes approximately 53 miles of new transmission lines across northern Missouri. It also includes building a new substation and upgrades to existing substations. The program includes two projects: one in Worth, Gentry, and DeKalb counties and a second in Marion County.
Just as additional roads need to be built or expanded over time, the program will prepare the grid for the future by adding transmission capacity. The program will also ensure energy reliability and resiliency while promoting greater access to energy sources for Northern Missouri communities and the region.
Program Benefits
- Increasing transmission capacity to meet changing energy needs.
- Supporting lower energy supply costs.
- Improving energy reliability for the surrounding region and local communities.
- Promoting access to diverse energy sources.
- Growing economic development opportunities.
Fairport-Denny-Iowa/Missouri Border Project (FDIM)
The Fairport-Denny-Iowa/Missouri border (FDIM) Project includes the construction of approximately 44 miles of 345-kV transmission lines and a new 345-kV substation. The proposed FDIM project will route through DeKalb, Gentry and Worth counties and will include two transmission line segments. The first new 345-kV transmission line segment will connect Associated Electric Cooperative Incorporated's (AECI) existing Fairport substation in DeKalb County to ATXI's new Denny substation approximately one mile away, also in DeKalb County. The second new 345-kV transmission line segment will run from the new Denny substation approximately 43 miles north to the Iowa/Missouri border.
Maywood-Mississippi River Crossing Project (MMRX)
The Maywood-Mississippi River Crossing (MMRX) Project includes the construction of approximately nine miles of 345-kV transmission line from ATXI's existing Maywood substation near Palmyra, Missouri across the Mississippi River to Illinois. Approximately eight miles of the project will be rebuilt along existing corridors and co-located with Ameren Missouri's existing 161-kV transmission line. The project includes upgrades to the Maywood substation.
Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program Timeline
- Winter 2024 through Summer 2024 – Project Planning, routing, and stakeholder/public engagement.
- Summer 2024 – Finalize route and file a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application with Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC).
- Mid 2025 – Receive a CCN decision from the MoPSC; Real Estate begins; Permitting and agency coordination; and environmental studies/surveys.
- Fall 2026 – Construction begins.
- Mid-2028 – Projects in service.
- Fall 2028 – Restoration complete.
Stakeholder and Public Involvement
The program team is planning robust stakeholder and community engagement opportunities as we prepare to apply for a CCN from the MoPSC. Community leaders and members of the public are encouraged to get involved in several ways throughout the routing process, including attending in-person public meetings and visiting our online engagement opportunities.
| Project/County Name | Meeting Date | Meeting Times | Meeting Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDIM: Worth County | Tuesday, April 9 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Grant City Golf Clubhouse 409 East 1st Street Grant City, Missouri 64456 |
| FDIM: Gentry County | Wednesday, April 10 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Discovery Center Auditorium 1109 South Birch Albany, Missouri 64402 |
| FDIM: Dekalb County | Thursday, April 11 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
4H/Youth Building 225 MO-6 Maysville, Missouri 64469 |
| MMRX: Marion County | Tuesday, April 16 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
American Legion 600 Short Street Palmyra, Missouri 63461 |
Visit our online open house (PDF) here.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI), Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) and Ameren Missouri are working together to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid for the future. The Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program includes approximately 53 miles of new transmission lines across northern Missouri. It also includes building a new substation and upgrades to existing substations.
Just as additional roads need to be built or expanded over time, the program will prepare the grid for the future by adding transmission capacity. The program will also ensure energy reliability and resiliency while promoting greater access to energy sources for Northern Missouri communities and the region.
We anticipate beginning construction in fall 2026. There will be different construction start and end dates in each community. The Program is scheduled to be in service by mid-2028.
The program includes two projects, one in Worth, Gentry, and DeKalb counties and a second in Marion County.
A preliminary routing review of the Program was conducted, and various constraints and sensitivities were identified. During our public process in 2024, our team will receive input from the communities on the Study Areas of the program where these new corridors are needed. All comments will be reviewed to further develop the proposed route that adheres to our routing criteria opportunities, sensitivities, statutory requirements and technical guidelines. Dependent upon this routing criteria process and the community's input, we anticipate filing a final proposed route with the Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC) in summer 2024.
Public and Stakeholder Involvement
Community leaders and members of the public can get involved in several ways throughout the routing process, including attending public meetings in April and by visiting our online engagement portal.
We appreciate the community’s participation, and we hold these meetings and discussions to gather input, answer questions and understand the Program Area from the local stakeholder’s perspective. Our goal is for stakeholders and landowners to learn about the Program, discuss questions with our Program team, and provide input on the Study Area to further develop a route. Our public process is aligned with the Program's milestones.
We expect to finalize a route and file an application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity with the MoPSC in the summer of 2024.
We started by identifying all communities in the region and all other government units such as school districts and soil and water conservation districts. We also identified other organizations that may have an interest in the Program Area, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Office and others. Our team is also available to meet individually with community officials or organizations, as requested.
We appreciate your participation. We not only want your comments, but we also encourage them. You can submit questions or comments on the website. We also have a dedicated hotline: 1.833.799.1633. If you leave a message, a representative from our team will return your call. You can also send us an email at connect@AmerenGridMO.com.
Environmental and Agency Coordination
We will coordinate with various environmental-related agencies including, but not necessarily limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Missouri Department of Natural Resources. We also invite these agencies to attend our meetings. Ameren has a strong commitment to incorporate environmental management and sustainability principles into our work: Environmental Stewardship – Ameren.com.
Ameren uses an avian-safe structure design and flight diverters where necessary as part of our corporate Avian Protection Plan to minimize impacts to migratory birds.
As a part of Ameren’s evaluation of potential routes, the minimization of environmental impacts – including those to threatened and endangered species – is a priority. Ameren will prioritize routes that will avoid or minimize impacts to threatened and endangered species. Ameren will work with state and federal agencies to identify potential impacts and compensate/mitigate for such occurrences as required for any unavoidable impacts. In most cases, Ameren can avoid or substantially minimize impacts to most species through implementation of various conservation measures. Many threatened and endangered species inhabit our transmission corridors after construction, especially where native vegetation and habitats are established as part of the restoration and ongoing maintenance efforts throughout the life of the project.
