Transmission Project draws questions

MARSHALL, Ill. (WTHI) - Some Clark County residents are concerned after word of a possible power project popped up in their area.

Ameren Energy is collecting research for their Illinois Rivers Project. The 330 mile proposed project is the biggest undertaking of it's kind in the state of Illinois, but not everyone's excited about it's potential path.

Kathy Horsely and her family live just outside of Marshall, Illinois. They said they enjoy their peaceful surroundings. That's why she's paying extra attention to the project. One of the few possible routes for the Illinois Rivers Project runs near her house.

"I just don't see why it should be disrupting this many people's lives, when they could go a fourth of a mile up the road and avoid our homes anyway," Horsely said.

Ameren is looking to place massive poles that would give energy, which could do a lot of good.

"One of the key reasons that it's being built is to bring renewable power to the areas that need it," Leigh Morris of Ameren said.

Once it's all said and done, it could impact nearly 1500 landowners, some of them potentially in Clark and Edgar counties.

As of right now, nothing is determined, but Like Kathy, lots of folks have questions about how the route could affect them and their property. That's why Ameren wants you to visit ilriverstransmission.com . It explains what they're doing, and how it could affect landowners.

Also, there will be a public open house about the project. It'll take place October 9, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. CDT at Harlan Hall in Marshall.