Huge Win for Clean Energy and Ratepayers in Illinois Thanks to Missouri’s Approval of the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Thursday, October 12, 2023 

Contact: Hannah Lee Flath, hannahlee.flath@sierraclub.org, 860-634-0225

Huge Win for Clean Energy and Ratepayers in Illinois Thanks to Missouri’s Approval of the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line

Illinois – Ratepayers across Illinois stand to save $4.3 billion over 15 years and reap the benefits of low-cost clean energy thanks to the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC)’s approval of the Grain Belt Express transmission line. The transmission line received approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission in March and will now move forward thanks to final approval in Missouri. In Illinois, the project will create 1,400 clean energy jobs and generate $1.3 billion in economic activity during construction.

In response, Christine Nannicelli, Senior Campaign Representative for Beyond Coal with Sierra Club Illinois, shared the following statement: 

“Building transmission lines like the Grain Belt Express is one of the most important things we need to do to strengthen our power grid and advance clean energy projects that have been waiting to come online. The rapid development of regional transmission lines across the Midwest is critical to Illinois’ clean energy future, and thoughtful infrastructure projects like these will help build a resilient 21st century power grid while also creating clean energy jobs and delivering huge consumer savings.”