RICL receives Illinois certification
“The Rock Island Clean Line direct current transmission line project came one step closer to fruition when the Illinois Commerce Commission granted RICL a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity on Nov. 25.
The certificate allows RICL to pursue the 443 voluntary easements required in Illinois to construct half of the transmission line.
“We’re really pleased with the decision in Illinois, and it gives us good momentum going forward into the regulatory process in Iowa,” Beth Conley, manager for RICL, said.
“This ruling doesn’t relate to Iowa, because Iowa and Illinois have separate processes,” Carolyn Sheridan, Preservation of Rural Iowa Alliance board president, said. “As far as what happens in Iowa, we are paying attention to what is happening in Illinois and using that information to prepare for our own public hearing with the Iowa Utilities Board.”
In November, the Rock Island Clean Line applied for a franchise with the Iowa Utilities Board. The franchise application is currently in staff review and waiting for a public hearing.
“What we know about these processes is that they take time,” Conley said. “We filed with the ICC in October 2012 and it took 24 months to get approved. We would expect a decision from the IUB in late 2015.”
The ICC did not include granting RICL the right of eminent domain to obtain land in its decision.
“Working with landowners is the most important thing we are doing,” Conley said. “We are taking the time to work with landowners to acquire the necessary number of voluntary easements. In neither state have we requested the right of condemnation. Voluntary easements are what we are committed to in Iowa and Illinois.””
Russmann, Hanna. Spencer Daily Reporter 12 December 2014.