Fairfax – Swan Lake
161 kV Transmission Line Project
Project Background
ITC Midwest is planning to build a new 161 kV (161,000 volt) electric transmission line that travels through Linn and Johnson Counties from the Fairfax Substation near Fairfax, owned by ITC Midwest, to the Swan Lake Substation near North Liberty, which is owned by CIPCO.
- In Linn County, a portion of the proposed 161 kV line will be added to existing 345 kV (345,000 volt) transmission structures.
- In Johnson County, a portion of the proposed 161 kV line will utilize the existing MidAmerican Energy 345 kV transmission line corridor. ITC Midwest is proposing to remove existing 345 kV structures and replace them with new 161/345 kV structures. These structures will carry both the ITC Midwest-owned 161 kV line and the MidAmerican Energy-owned 345 kV line. The remainder of the proposed 161 kV line will be built in a new corridor.
Why is this line needed?
This line build is part of ITC Midwest’s continuing efforts to improve reliability of the electric transmission system, and better serve current and future needs of electric consumers. The Cedar Rapids – North Liberty corridor continues to see increases in electrical demand, which necessitates increased electric transmission capacity.
The configuration of the existing transmission system in the area limits the ability to re-route electricity to customers during planned outages (when a line needs to be taken out of service for maintenance) and unplanned outages (such as an outage resulting from a severe storm). This new 161 kV line is needed to ensure the system can remain reliable during planned and unplanned system outages. Connecting an additional 161 kV line to the transmission grid in this area ensures long-term reliability can be maintained and provides increased system resiliency to better withstand severe weather.
The Fairfax – Swan Lake project will provide important benefits and drive value for electric consumers. When completed, this transmission line will:
- Increase transmission infrastructure to improve system reliability
- Enhance power grid resilience to better withstand extreme weather
- Better serve current and future needs through increased system capacity
- Reduce electric system congestion and improve grid efficiency
FAQs
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 double-circuited with existing transmission lines to mitigate the need for a new transmission corridor. To minimize the footprint of the line, ITC Midwest plans to use steel monopoles.
Under Iowa law, ITC Midwest cannot negotiate for easements until after the Iowa Utilities Board holds a public information meeting. For this project, the Johnson County meeting was held in Coralville, and the Linn County meeting was held in Cedar Rapids on September 14, 2023.
In the coming weeks, ITC Midwest representatives will begin 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 Meetings | September 14, 2023 |
| Easement acquisition complete | Fourth quarter 2024* |
| If approved by Iowa Utilities Board, construction will begin | Second quarter 2025* |
| Construction complete | 2026* |
* Time frames are subject to change