Ameren retained Hanson to support its application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for an 11-mile, 69 kV transmission line rebuild project northeast of Galesburg, Illinois.
The transmission line was necessary to build a more reliable energy grid for customers in Knox County, Illinois, and support a proposed wind farm along the line segment. Most of the project followed the existing alignment; however, a segment through the town of Wataga, Illinois, was relocated to avoid the developed area.
‘HANSON’S SUPPORT HELPED SET THE STAGE’“Hanson’s support helped set the stage for meeting the short timeline for this important project. With their help, we were able to obtain the Illinois Commerce Commission Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity that we needed while keeping residents and stakeholders informed about in the necessary changes to the route of this rebuilt transmission line.” – Gabe Goldsmith, stakeholder relations, Ameren Corp.
Hanson assembled a comprehensive alternatives analysis to support engagement with local officials and the public through a series of stakeholder and public meetings. The effort included a detailed review of engineering and environmental resources within the project corridor, as well as an evaluation of constraints and opportunities associated with multiple route alternatives. Hanson collaborated with Ameren’s Stakeholder Relations team to present each alternative during public outreach efforts and gather stakeholder input. The team documented public feedback during meetings, including geo-referenced locations of concern. Following the outreach process, Hanson provided testimony on the alternatives, developed all associated project mapping and compiled landowner lists along the proposed corridor.
Hanson also supported Ameren in responding to ICC comments through final project approval. Beyond the CPCN effort, Hanson prepared plats and legal descriptions for all easements, conducted wetland delineations and archaeological reviews and prepared the associated reports.
