SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Supreme Court could make a major decision regarding the approval of a controversial transmission line that would run through Central Illinois. Landowners are worried about damage to property throughout Christian, Shelby, Clark and Cumberland counties.
Clean Life Energy Partners first talked about running a transmission line from Kansas to a power grid in Indiana in 2015. However, the Grain Belt Express has faced multiple legal challenges after the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the project.
"There is plenty of evidence that there [are] years of building these sorts of projects—4,000 miles, $47 billion in projects," said Grain Belt Express Attorney Adam Vaught. "This isn't just somebody saying I have a rich grandpa and I'd like to get into the energy business. This is what they do."
The Fifth District court argued Grain Belt did not qualify as a public utility company, which was a major requirement to receive a project certificate at the time. Landowners and farmers have filed multiple lawsuits stating the company should be banned from building the transmission line.
"The reason we're here is because a shell company wants to build a transmission overpass to Indiana with no service to Illinois customers," said Illinois Farm Bureau Attorney Chuck Davis. "This case is about a quest for power—not electrical power, but governmental power."
State lawmakers addressed some of this concern by allowing non-utility companies to receive certificates for projects under the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Still, the Illinois Farm Bureau said farmers want energy for public use from responsible actors that comply with state and federal laws.
"Yes, the developer is not going to be putting up its own assets as collateral, but we did have testimony that they have billions of dollars in assets," said Illinois Commerce Commission Attorney Christopher Turner. "They've already provided $60 million in funding for this project and will continue to provide it into the future. That was sufficient evidence."
The oral arguments come just months after the Trump administration canceled a $4.9 billion loan for Grain Belt Express. Developers still plan to start construction on the project next year.
The Illinois Supreme Court took this case under advisement. A decision is expected in the coming months.
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