Feedback sought as organizers continue finalizing preferred route

Organizers of the Limestone Ridge project continue the process of gathering feedback as a final route is determined.
Another opportunity for public comment or input occurred Jan. 21.
An estimated 150 individuals took part in last Thursday’s webinar while another 50 or so participated via a landline phone connection.
Ameren Transmission is teaming up with Wabash Valley Power Alliance and Citizens Electric Corporation in Perryville on the Limestone Ridge Project, in which it is proposing to construct a new, approximately 15-mile 138 kV transmission line and substations in an effort to improve energy reliability in southeast Missouri.
Ameren is in its third route of “public engagement.” Concerned citizens have until Feb. 1 to submit feedback by mail (CEC, 1500 Rand Avenue, P.O. Box 368, Perryville, MO 63775) or email (limestoneridgeproject@ameren.com).
In the fall, three route options were presented. However, since that time, the company has chosen a preferred route which is planned to go east of Altenburg, south of County Road 458, then be part the easement for an existing Wabash transmission line which runs southeast into Cape Girardeau County, eventually ending at a Wabash transmission line south of Missouri Route 177.
The new line is supposed to connect two new substations in Perry and Cape Girardeau counties. The goal is to have the project completed by December 2023, according to Ameren officials.
While the modified route, at this time, will not impact his or his family’s farmland, rural Altenburg resident Jeffrey Schillling knows there are aesthetic and practical concerns for others that own property along the proposed route.
“We are in the heart of the river hills,” he said. “These are very large poles.”
An easement of 125 feet in width is required for construction of the 138kV monopole structures, which can be between 100 and 160 feet in height and span 800 to 1,000 feet.
Schilling said earlier versions of the webinar discussions were “limited” and “bilateral.” Questions could be submitted ahead of time and organizers could choose if or when to respond. There was not a back and forth discussion, and those participating in the meetings cannot see who is talking. Another limitation is that it is impossible to detect body language, Schilling said.
“The direction of earlier meetings was more how they’re going to do the project but not why,” Schilling said.

The evening meeting Jan. 21 was “much more effective,” Schilling said, though he understands others are more directly impacted.
“I think there was a feeling of resignation and how this line would impact residents,” Schilling said, adding that several were vocal in their opposition.
Ameren officials have been encouraging landowners to provide their concerns about the project.
“We’re looking for their input,” said Lori Light, a media relations manager with Ameren. “The feedback is really important. We take that all into consideration.”
Early on, Schilling was concerned the route cut through a portion of farmland which has been in his family since the 1840s.
“At this point, they’ve re-evaluated their route,” Schilling said. “From my understanding, Ameren is not certain whether they want to run (the transmission line) east or west of the gas pipeline.”
The terrain is more rugged and hilly east of the existing line while west has more farm and agricultural land.
Schilling has been questioning the process amidst the pandemic, which have prevented in-person meetings and discussions on the project, so far.
Last summer, those in the study area received a brochure from Ameren, which is not a provider to this region. In addition, with many of the feedback opportunities in a web format, this limited the participation level, according to Schilling.
“We did feel pretty well blindsided,” Schilling said.
Initially, the information was thought to just be a study for a proposed route. Schilling said it never sunk in that this was a whole new project.
“Our goal is to identify a final route that will balance minimizing impacts to sensitivities and building a cost-effective, reliable and safe transmission line within statutory and maintenance requirements,” according to an official Limestone Ridge Project press release.
When the route is finalized, it will formally be included in an application for a certificate of convenience and necessity submitted to Missouri’s Public Service Commission in March.