Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series about the proposed Rock Island Clean Line transmission project.
PRINCETON — Many Bureau County residents are up in arms about the proposed Rock Island Clean Line energy project, a transmission line that would carry wind-produced electricity from the Great Plains through Iowa and Illinois.
Signs protesting the project have popped up near Route 92, and a meeting was held in Mendota last month by Block RICL in an effort to stop the project. It’s even been the topic of conversation at a recent Bureau County Board meeting.
On Tuesday, Hans Detweiler, director of development for Clean Line Energy Partners, and former state Sen. Todd Sieben stopped by the Bureau County Republican to clarify what they believe are some misunderstandings about the proposed transmission line
Detweiler said the best wind resources in the country are in a wide band running from North and South Dakota and into Nebraska and Kansas, far away from the strongest transmission systems.
In Illinois, the strongest part of the electric grid is in the eastern part of the state, starting with a line running from Plano to Morris and then east.