The Rock Island Clean Line submitted preferred and alternative routes and applied to operate as a public utility before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). A similar application and filing will occur before the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), as well. The IUB and the ICC are the primary regulatory and siting authorities in the respective states. In Iowa, we will seek an Electric Transmission Franchise from the IUB; in Illinois, we have applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and for the authority to construct from the ICC. Approvals from these state regulatory bodies will allow the Rock Island Clean Line to construct, operate, and maintain a transmission line in each state.
The filing with the ICC describes our mission to connect the vast wind resources of Iowa and the surrounding region to communities in Illinois and in states to the east that have a substantial and increasing demand for renewable energy. Studies included outline the environmental and economic benefits of the project. The filing also describes our managerial and financial capability to construct, own and operate an HVDC transmission line. Lastly, it explains our routing process in great detail and provides the reasoning behind the routes that are ultimately selected. Click here for more information about the filing. To view documents related to the ICC filing, please click here.
In addition to the approvals required by these two agencies, permits or approvals will be required from other federal, state, and local government bodies. Click here to read more about those processes.