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 is a portfolio of new energy projects that includes more than 255 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines developed in two phases across northern Missouri.
Phase 1 of the program includes the Fairport-Denny-Iowa/Missouri Border Project (FDIM) and the Maywood-Mississippi River Crossing (MMRX) Project. The first phase projects are located in Worth, Gentry, DeKalb and Marion counties with approximately 53 miles of new transmission line and a new substation. On July 16, 2024, after careful consideration of feedback from landowners, community members, interested agencies and local officials, a proposed route was selected and filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission (Mo PSC).
The Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program's Phase 2 includes the Denny-Zachary-Thomas Hill-Maywood (DZTM) Project with more than 200 miles of new transmission lines across ten counties in Northern Missouri. The DZTM Project is in DeKalb, Daviess, Grundy, Sullivan, Adair, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Macon and Randolph counties. The Project also includes upgrades to existing Ameren substations.
The program is part of a larger initiative from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), an independent member organization that works with 15 Midwestern states, including Illinois and Missouri, and Manitoba, Canada, to ensure reliable, resilient, and affordable energy for 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.
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Phase 1: FDIM and MMRX
Visit our online open house (PDF) here.
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.
- Winter 2024 through Summer 2024- Project Planning, routing, and stakeholder/public engagement
- Summer 2024- Finalize route and file application with Missouri Public Service Commission (Mo PSC)
- Mid 2025- Receive a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity decision from the Mo PSC; real estate begins; permitting and agency coordination; environmental studies/surveys
- Fall 2026- Construction begins
- Mid 2028- Projects in service
- Fall 2028- Restoration complete
Phase 2: DZTM
Visit our online open house (PDF) here.
Denny-Zachary-Thomas Hill-Maywood Project (DZTM)
The Denny-Zachary-Thomas Hill-Maywood (DZTM) Project includes the construction of over 200 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines with three transmission line segments. The first new line segment of the project will run approximately 100 miles from ATXI's new Denny substation in DeKalb County to ATXI's existing Zachary substation near Kirksville, Missouri. A second new line segment, approximately 60 miles, will connect the existing Zachary substation to ATXI's existing Maywood substation near Palmyra, Missouri. A vast majority of the Zachary-Maywood line segment will be built along an existing corridor. The Project's third line segment consists of 44 miles rebuilt on Ameren's existing transmission corridor from the Zachary substation to AECI's existing Thomas Hill substation in Randolph County. The Project includes upgrades to existing Ameren substations.
Phase 2:
- Summer 2024- Project Planning, routing, and stakeholder/public engagement
- Fall 2024- Early 2025- Finalize route and file application with Missouri Public Service Commission (Mo PSC)
- Mid 2026- Receive a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity decision from the Mo PSC; real estate begins; permitting and agency coordination; environmental studies/surveys
- Spring 2027- Construction begins
- Late Fall 2029- Projects in service
- Spring 2030- Restoration complete
Open House Schedule
| Date | Time | County | Venue Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, August 20th | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Dekalb | Dekalb County Youth Building 107 E. 6 Highway Maysville, MO 64469 |
| Tuesday, August 20th | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Daviess | Daviess County Library 306 W. Grand Gallatin, MO 64640 |
| Wednesday, August 21st | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Grundy | The Christian Book Store 1108 Main Street Trenton, MO 64683 |
| Wednesday, August 21st | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Sullivan | Sullivan County Community Center 205 N. Market Milan, MO 63556 |
| Thursday, August 22nd | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Randolph | 214 North 4th Moberly, MO 65270 |
| Thursday, August 22nd | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Macon | Nolands Catering 3002 Jims Road, Macon, MO 63552 |
| Tuesday, August 27th | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Marion | Palmyra American Legion 600 Short Street Palmyra, MO 63461 |
| Tuesday, August 27th | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Lewis | Gather 507 Clark Street Canton, MO 63435 |
| Wednesday, August 28th | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Adair | White Oaks Barn 23255 State HWY 11 Kirksville, MO 63501 |
| Wednesday, August 28th | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m. |
Knox | Knights of Columbus 709 N. Main St. Edina, MO 63537 |
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 is a portfolio of new energy projects that includes more than 255 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines developed in two phases across northern Missouri.
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. All projects within the Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program are scheduled to be in service by 2030.
The Northern Missouri Grid Transformation Program is a portfolio of new energy projects that includes more than 255 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines developed in two phases across northern Missouri.
Phase 1 includes the Fairport-Denny-Iowa/Missouri Border (FDIM) Project and the Maywood-Mississippi River Crossing (MMRX) Project. The FDIM Project is located in Worth, Gentry and DeKalb counties.
Phase 2 of the Program includes the Denny-Zachary-Thomas Hill-Maywood (DZTM) Project. This project is in ten counties including DeKalb, Grundy, Daviess, Sullivan, Adair, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Macon and Randolph counties.
A preliminary routing review of the Program was conducted, and various constraints and sensitivities were identified. During our public engagement 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 Phase 1 final proposed route in summer 2024 and a Phase 2 final proposed route in late 2024 with the Missouri Public Service Commission (MoPSC).
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 and by visiting our online engagement portal during our Program's public engagement processes.
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.
On July 18, 2024, after careful consideration of feedback from landowners, community members, interested agencies and local officials, a proposed route for Phase 1 was selected and filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission (Mo PSC).
We plan to finalize a route and file an application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for Phase 2 with the MoPSC in late 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.
