What is the Zachary-Locust Creek Transmission Project?

The Zachary-Locust Creek Transmission Project is a new 161 kV transmission line running from Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois’ (ATXI) Zachary Substation (south of Kirksville) to NW Electric Power Cooperative (NW Power) Locust Creek substation (west of Milan), that is being jointly coordinated by NW Power and Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative (Northeast Power).

ATXI is also interested in constructing new transmission facilities in this region. To ensure impacts to landowners are minimized, NW Power and Northeast Power are coordinating our routing efforts with ATXI. Ultimately, this coordination may determine that the co-location of facilities is beneficial, resulting in a single double-circuit 345/161 kV transmission line being constructed.

Why is the Zachary-Locust Creek Transmission Project needed?

To reliably meet the long-term needs of our electric cooperative members and communities, our engineering and planning teams have identified a need to upgrade transmission infrastructure in the region. Transmission infrastructure is a foundation of providing electric cooperative members with safe, reliable and affordable service.

Like our members, we belong to the communities we serve. We care about doing what’s best to meet short- and long-term needs for regional stability, potential growth and overall prosperity. Building this project secures much-needed infrastructure reliability for cooperative member-consumers’ ongoing and future needs.

How will this line be routed?

The new route for the project generally runs from ATXI’s existing Zachary substation in Adair County to the NW Power Locust Creek substation in Sullivan County. Approximately 18 miles will be located in NW Power’s territory and 15 miles (33 total miles) will be located in Northeast Power’s territory.

NW Power and Northeast Power place a high priority on developing a viable line route that takes landowners' potential concerns into consideration. Public meetings and landowner outreach efforts will take place to ensure we are responsive to these concerns.

How does northern Missouri benefit from this project?

Improved transmission infrastructure benefits the regions they are located in by enhancing the efficiency of the regional transmission system, increasing access to energy sources and improving overall transmission system reliability. Where co-location of NW Power / Northeast Power / ATXI facilities is feasible, area residents also see lessened impacts due to the need for fewer transmission corridors and structures. In addition to the easement payments to impacted landowners, the counties within the planned transmission route will benefit from tax payments to the county. Local economies often benefit from the new construction jobs and investment.