Over the last two years, I have had the pleasure of introducing to people across Illinois the Rock Island Clean Line project, which will deliver enough energy to power 1.4 million Illinois homes and help keep power prices lower in Illinois. I hope to address a couple of questions recently posed by landowners.  

One key question is the fairness of our proposed landowner compensation; a recent blogger encouraged farmers to hold out for at least $50,000 per mile. Assuming that at least one structure is placed on a parcel of land, most landowners will receive compensation totaling more than 100 percent of the fair market value of the easement area, even though permanent impacts of the transmission line will comprise less than 1 percent of the easement property, and the balance of the easement property will be available for crop production.  Based on today’s local land prices, easement widths and structure types, it is likely we will offer $150,000 to $200,000 per typical mile of right-of-way.

Some people are also asking why we have a preference for lattice-type structures over tubular steel “monopole” structures. We have not yet made a determination as to the primary structure type. We have maintained flexibility, so landowner concerns, terrain, land use, project costs and other relevant factors can be considered. It is likely a mix of structure types will be used. Lattice structures can be spaced farther apart, but the foundation for lattice structures takes up more space. Therefore, higher payments will be made for lattice structures.