Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Project
Ameren Illinois Company (AIC) and Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) are developing the Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Project to improve energy reliability for local customers in Jefferson and Wayne counties and the surrounding region. In September 2023, Ameren submitted an application to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) requesting their review and approval of the project. On March 13, 2025, the ICC approved the preferred route and issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Project.
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About the Project

The Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Project is the first project in a larger portfolio of energy projects called the South Central Illinois Transmission Expansion (SCITE) Program. The SCITE Program is being jointly developed by Ameren Transmission and regional member cooperatives and will provide significant reliability benefits for regional energy grids and customers across the southern portion of Illinois.

The Project includes two phases. Phase 1 includes construction of an approximately 6-mile 138 kV transmission line from AIC’s existing Mt. Vernon 42nd Street substation to the proposed Reifen substation located east of Mt. Vernon in Jefferson County. Our goal is to have Phase 1 facilities in service in December 2025. Phase 2 includes the construction of a 138 kV transmission line approximately 35 miles from the proposed Reifen substation to another proposed substation, named Kays, located near Fairfield in Wayne County. Our goal is to have Phase 2 facilities in service in December 2026. Phase 2 will be designed with the potential to add a future additional 345 kV circuit.

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Community Benefits

Reliability

Providing reliable energy for Jefferson and Wayne counties and the surrounding region

Resiliency

Improving resiliency to minimize power limitations and impacts to local communities

Increased Capacity

Increasing energy capacity to support homes, businesses and agricultural customers

Economic Growth

Supporting continued area economic growth
Tentative Project Schedule
Our Project team gathered and reviewed data and collected input from community members, landowners, and stakeholders in the Study Area during different stages of the Project. Our first round of engagement, in April 2023, was held to introduce the project and gather feedback on the Route Segments. All input received was reviewed and considered during development of the Preliminary Route Alternatives. Our second round of public engagement, in June 2023, was offered to gather input on the Preliminary Route Alternatives. All comments collected were reviewed and considered by the Project team during the selection of the Preferred Route for the project, which was filed with the ICC. We appreciate everyone’s participation during the routing study and public involvement process.

Landowners of record along the filed Preferred Route will receive mailed notification letters from Ameren. Our goal is to have Phase 1 facilities in service by December 2025 and Phase 2 facilities in service by December 2026.

For more information on the ICC filing, visit icc.illinois.gov/docket and enter P2023-0658 in the docket search box.

Maps

Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Project Fact Sheet (PDF)
Study Area Map (PDF)
Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Approved Final Route (PDF)
Interactive Map

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Contact Us
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Phone: 833.478.7733

Email: info@MTVAreaProject.com

Mail: 2610 Broadway Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864