Residents rally against high voltage power line expansion

During a recent government meeting, landowners Ralph Jerringis and Keith McTaggart raised significant concerns regarding the proposed expansion of a high-voltage electrical transmission line in Iroquois County, Illinois. The expansion, initiated by Ameren Transmission Company, aims to increase the voltage from 138 kilovolts to 345 kilovolts, a change that has sparked apprehension among local residents due to potential impacts on health and property values.

Jerringis and McTaggart, who have become intervenors in the ongoing hearings conducted by the Illinois Commerce Commission, presented a petition signed by 45 residents along the proposed route. They highlighted the proximity of homes to the existing and planned transmission lines, with some residences located as close as 50 to 100 feet from the lines. The landowners expressed concerns about electromagnetic radiation and the safety of living near high-voltage lines, particularly given the dense residential areas along the current route.

In response to the proposed expansion, the landowners have suggested an alternative route that would divert the transmission line away from populated areas. This new route would run along Route 20, avoiding many homes and reducing the potential impact on residents. While acknowledging that this alternative may add some distance to the line, they argued that the benefits of reducing residential proximity to the lines outweigh the additional mileage.

The landowners emphasized the importance of community involvement in the decision-making process, urging local officials to consider the implications of the expansion on zoning and planning. They noted that the current study phase presents an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and influence the outcome of the project.

As the hearings continue, the outcome remains uncertain, but the landowners' advocacy highlights the ongoing tension between infrastructure development and community safety in central Illinois.