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Design Element

ITC Midwest
Beverly – Hills

345 kV Transmission Line Project

"Map showing a route from Beverly to Hills through Iowa City in Johnson County, Iowa, with an inset highlighting the region within the state of Iowa."
Beverly – Hills proposed project route

Project Background

ITC Midwest is planning to build an electric transmission line that travels through Linn and Johnson counties from ITC Midwest’s Beverly Substation in Cedar Rapids in Linn County to the MidAmerican Energy Hills Substation near Hills in Johnson County. The proposed route includes building a 345,000 volt (345 kV) transmission line that joins the route of an existing 161 kV transmission line which will be removed and rebuilt in a double circuit configuration (two circuits on the same structures). The structures will be built to be capable of accommodating another 345 kV transmission line.

Altogether through the two counties, the line is approximately 40 miles. The final route may change and will be determined when easement negotiations with landowners are completed and the Iowa Utilities Commission has approved the project.

Why is this line needed?

In response to ongoing growth and the significant increase in electricity demand projected in the greater Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor over the next few years, the Beverly – Hills line is needed to provide essential electric transmission capacity. When placed in service, the new transmission infrastructure will also help ensure grid reliability and system resilience.

The Beverly – Hills project will provide numerous benefits and drive
value for electric consumers locally and regionally. When completed,
this transmission line will:

  • Increase transmission infrastructure to improve system reliability
  • Enhance grid resilience to better withstand extreme weather
  • Expand access to generation resources for electric consumers by reducing transmission system congestion
  • Improve distribution of lower-cost energy resources, including renewables
  • Increase transmission system capacity to help meet current and future demand for electricity.

FAQs

What is ITC Midwest doing to minimize the impact on landowners and current land uses?

ITC Midwest seeks to minimize the impact of the line on existing land uses. The company is committed to protecting the environment and will fully compensate landowners for any damages that occur during the construction process.

Where possible, this new line will be co-located with existing transmission lines to mitigate the need for a new transmission corridor across privately owned land. To minimize the footprint of the line, ITC Midwest plans to use steel monopoles.

How will ITC Midwest work with landowners?

Under Iowa law, ITC Midwest cannot negotiate for easements until after the Iowa Utilities Commission holds a public information meeting. For this project, public information meetings were held in Tiffin and Cedar Rapids on October 29, 2024.

ITC Midwest representatives are now meeting with affected landowners in the proposed corridor to explain the process and their rights, and ultimately, to begin negotiations to secure voluntary easements. Landowners are compensated for permitting ITC Midwest to secure an easement on their property. ITC Midwest understands and appreciates the impact that new line construction has on landowners and pledges to treat all landowners with the utmost respect during this important process.

Project Schedule

Public Information MeetingsOctober 29, 2024
Easement acquisition completeThird quarter 2025*
If approved by Iowa Utilities Board, construction will beginSecond quarter 2026*
Construction completeThird quarter 2027*

*These time frames are subject to change