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Design Element

Dixon REC – Walcott North

69 kV Transmission Line Project

Map showing a route from Dixon to Walcott through Plainview in Scott County, Iowa, with an inset highlighting the region within the state of Iowa.
Dixon REC – Walcott North proposed project route

Project Background

ITC Midwest is planning to build a new 69 kV (69,000 volt) electric transmission line that travels through Scott County from the Eastern Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative’s Dixon REC Substation near Dixon to an existing ITC Midwest 69 kV line approximately 1.3 miles north of Alliant Energy’s Walcott North Substation. The proposed line segment is about 7.75 miles long.

Why is this line needed?

The proposed new transmission line is part of ITC Midwest’s continuing efforts to improve system reliability, enhance grid resilience to better withstand extreme weather, and increase capacity of the electric transmission system. This new 69 kV line will be networked to provide additional back-up capability during planned and unplanned outages, and better serve the area’s electricity demand during normal and contingency operations. The line will be built to new construction standards and include lightning protection for enhanced system reliability. This line project is part of a comprehensive plan to upgrade the outdated 34.5 kV system to a modern 69 kV system across Iowa to meet the growing needs of energy consumers.

The Dixon REC – Walcott North project will provide important benefits and drive value to electric consumers. When completed, this transmission line will:

  • Increase transmission infrastructure to improve system reliability
  • Enhance grid resilience to better withstand extreme weather
  • Better serve current and future needs through increased system capacity
  • Provide additional back-up capability during planned and unplanned outages

FAQs

What is ITC Midwest doing to minimize the impact on landowners and current land uses?

ITC Midwest seeks to minimize the impact of the line on existing land uses. The company is committed to protecting the environment and will fully compensate landowners for any damages that occur during the construction process.

Where possible, this new line will be constructed along road right-of-way to mitigate the need for a new transmission corridor across privately owned land. To minimize the footprint of the line, ITC Midwest plans to use mostly wood monopoles with a few wood laminate and steel monopoles.

How will ITC Midwest work with landowners?

Under Iowa law, ITC Midwest cannot negotiate for easements until after the Iowa Utilities Commission holds a public information meeting. For this project, the public information meeting was held in Walcott in Scott County on April 2, 2025.

ITC Midwest representatives are now meeting with affected landowners in the proposed corridor to explain the process and their rights, and ultimately, to begin negotiations to secure voluntary easements. Landowners are compensated for permitting ITC Midwest to secure an easement on their property. ITC Midwest understands and appreciates the impact that new line construction has on landowners and pledges to treat all landowners with the utmost respect during this important process.

Project Schedule

Public information meetingApril 2, 2025
Easement acquisition completeFirst quarter 2026*
If approved by Iowa Utilities Commission, construction beginsFirst quarter 2027*
Construction completeThird quarter 2027*

*These time frames are subject to change