ComEd Proposes New Transmission Line in DeKalb County
ComEd, a unit of Exelon (NASDAQ: EXC), has presented plans to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) for the Kishwaukee Area Reliability Extension (KARE) Project, a new transmission line in DeKalb County. The project includes a 6-mile double-circuit 345 KV overhead transmission line and a new 345 KV substation, designed to meet growing energy demand and enhance grid reliability.
The project, if approved, will begin construction in Q1 2026 and is expected to complete by end of 2027. The transmission line will extend existing infrastructure to connect with a new substation near Keslinger Road and Crego Road in Afton Township. ComEd partnered with Burns & McDonnell for the routing study, which covered a 23-square-mile area to minimize community impact.
This is ComEd's first transmission line requiring ICC siting approval since the Grand Prairie Gateway project in 2017. The ICC's decision is expected by late 2025.
ComEd, un'unità di Exelon (NASDAQ: EXC), ha presentato piani alla Commissione per il Commercio dell'Illinois (ICC) per il Kishwaukee Area Reliability Extension (KARE) Project, una nuova linea di trasmissione nella contea di DeKalb. Il progetto comprende una linea di trasmissione aerea a doppio circuito di 6 miglia a 345 KV e una nuova sottostazione a 345 KV, progettata per soddisfare la crescente domanda di energia e migliorare l'affidabilità della rete.
Il progetto, se approvato, inizierà i lavori di costruzione nel primo trimestre del 2026 e dovrebbe concludersi entro la fine del 2027. La linea di trasmissione estenderà le infrastrutture esistenti per collegarsi a una nuova sottostazione vicino a Keslinger Road e Crego Road nel comune di Afton. ComEd ha collaborato con Burns & McDonnell per lo studio del tracciato, che ha coperto un'area di 23 miglia quadrate per ridurre l'impatto sulla comunità.
Questa è la prima linea di trasmissione di ComEd che richiede l'approvazione della localizzazione da parte dell'ICC da quando è stato avviato il progetto Grand Prairie Gateway nel 2017. La decisione dell'ICC è attesa entro la fine del 2025.
ComEd, una unidad de Exelon (NASDAQ: EXC), ha presentado planes a la Comisión de Comercio de Illinois (ICC) para el Kishwaukee Area Reliability Extension (KARE) Project, una nueva línea de transmisión en el condado de DeKalb. El proyecto incluye una línea de transmisión aérea de doble circuito de 6 millas a 345 KV y una nueva subestación de 345 KV, diseñada para satisfacer la creciente demanda de energía y mejorar la confiabilidad de la red.
El proyecto, si se aprueba, comenzará la construcción en el primer trimestre de 2026 y se espera que se complete a finales de 2027. La línea de transmisión extenderá la infraestructura existente para conectarse con una nueva subestación cerca de Keslinger Road y Crego Road en el municipio de Afton. ComEd se asoció con Burns & McDonnell para el estudio de rutas, que cubrió un área de 23 millas cuadradas para minimizar el impacto en la comunidad.
Esta es la primera línea de transmisión de ComEd que requiere la aprobación de localización de la ICC desde el proyecto Grand Prairie Gateway en 2017. Se espera que la decisión de la ICC se tome a finales de 2025.
ComEd는 Exelon(NASDAQ: EXC)의 한 유닛으로, 일리노이 상무 위원회(ICC)에 Kishwaukee Area Reliability Extension (KARE) Project라는 새로운 송전선 계획을 제시했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 DeKalb 카운티에 6마일 길이의 이중 회로 345 KV 공중 송전선과 새로운 345 KV 변전소를 포함하여, 증가하는 에너지 수요를 충족하고 그리드의 신뢰성을 강화하도록 설계되었습니다.
프로젝트가 승인된다면, 2026년 1분기에 공사가 시작되며 2027년 말까지 완료될 것으로 예상됩니다. 송전선은 기존 인프라를 확장하여 Afton 타운십의 Keslinger Road와 Crego Road 근처에 있는 새로운 변전소와 연결될 것입니다. ComEd는 지역 사회에 미치는 영향을 최소화하기 위해 23 평방 마일 지역을 포함하는 경로 연구를 위해 Burns & McDonnell과 협력했습니다.
이번은 2017년 Grand Prairie Gateway 프로젝트 이후 ICC의 부지 승인 절차를 요구하는 ComEd의 첫 송전선입니다. ICC의 결정은 2025년 말까지 예상됩니다.
ComEd, une unité d'Exelon (NASDAQ: EXC), a présenté des plans à la Commission du Commerce de l'Illinois (ICC) pour le Kishwaukee Area Reliability Extension (KARE) Project, une nouvelle ligne de transmission dans le comté de DeKalb. Le projet comprend une ligne de transmission aérienne à double circuit de 6 miles à 345 KV et une nouvelle sous-station à 345 KV, conçue pour répondre à la demande croissante d'énergie et améliorer la fiabilité du réseau.
Le projet, s'il est approuvé, commencera la construction au premier trimestre 2026 et devrait être achevé d'ici fin 2027. La ligne de transmission étendra les infrastructures existantes pour se connecter à une nouvelle sous-station près de Keslinger Road et Crego Road dans la ville d'Afton. ComEd a collaboré avec Burns & McDonnell pour l'étude de routage, qui a couvert une zone de 23 miles carrés afin de minimiser l'impact sur la communauté.
C'est la première ligne de transmission de ComEd nécessitant une approbation de siting de l'ICC depuis le projet Grand Prairie Gateway en 2017. La décision de l'ICC est attendue d'ici fin 2025.
ComEd, eine Einheit von Exelon (NASDAQ: EXC), hat der Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Pläne für das Kishwaukee Area Reliability Extension (KARE) Project vorgelegt, eine neue Übertragungsleitung im DeKalb County. Das Projekt umfasst eine 6-Meilen-Doppelkreis-Übertragungsleitung mit 345 KV und eine neue 345 KV-Umspannstation, die entwickelt wurde, um der wachsenden Energienachfrage gerecht zu werden und die Zuverlässigkeit des Netzes zu erhöhen.
Falls das Projekt genehmigt wird, beginnt der Bau im ersten Quartal 2026 und soll bis Ende 2027 abgeschlossen sein. Die Übertragungsleitung wird die bestehende Infrastruktur erweitern, um sich mit einer neuen Umspannstation in der Nähe von Keslinger Road und Crego Road in der Stadt Afton zu verbinden. ComEd hat mit Burns & McDonnell für die Routenuntersuchung zusammengearbeitet, die ein Gebiet von 23 Quadratmeilen abdeckte, um die Auswirkungen auf die Gemeinschaft zu minimieren.
Dies ist die erste Übertragungsleitung von ComEd, die seit dem Grand Prairie Gateway-Projekt 2017 eine Genehmigung der ICC zur Standortfreigabe benötigt. Die Entscheidung der ICC wird bis Ende 2025 erwartet.
- Project addresses growing energy demand and reinforces grid reliability
- Utilizes mainly existing right-of-way, minimizing new land impact
- Supports economic growth and future load requirements in DeKalb region
- None.
Insights
The proposed KARE Project represents a strategic infrastructure expansion that warrants careful analysis. The 6-mile, 345KV double-circuit transmission line with a new substation addresses critical power delivery needs in a rapidly growing region. The project's design utilizing existing right-of-way minimizes both cost and environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.
What's particularly noteworthy is the timing - DeKalb's economic expansion has created increased power demands that the current infrastructure may struggle to support reliably. The 345KV capacity is significant, as it's typically used for major power transmission between regions and supporting large industrial loads. This suggests ComEd is anticipating substantial future growth in power consumption, possibly from data centers or manufacturing facilities.
The project's 2027 completion timeline aligns with typical infrastructure development cycles, though potential regulatory delays at the ICC could impact this schedule. From a technical perspective, the double-circuit design provides redundancy and improved reliability, important for maintaining service during maintenance or outages.
This transmission project, while seemingly routine, carries strategic financial implications for Exelon/ComEd. Infrastructure investments like KARE typically generate regulated returns of 9-10% on equity, providing stable, long-term revenue streams. The project's focus on existing right-of-way utilization suggests efficient capital deployment, minimizing land acquisition costs and potential legal challenges.
The investment timing is opportune - with DeKalb's economic growth trajectory and the increasing presence of power-intensive industries, this infrastructure expansion positions ComEd to capture growing demand while maintaining reliability metrics that influence regulatory returns. While the exact project cost isn't disclosed, similar 345KV transmission lines typically range from
The regulatory approval process through ICC appears well-structured, with community engagement already completed. This approach typically improves approval probability and can accelerate the timeline to begin earning returns on the investment. For investors, such regulated capital projects represent the type of low-risk, steady-return investments that support utility valuations.
Pending ICC approval, KARE Project to sustain improved reliability and meet DeKalb’s growing energy demands
“We are pleased to help support continued economic growth in
The KARE Project includes a double-circuit 345 kilovolt (KV) overhead transmission line extending approximately 6 miles -- mainly on existing right-of-way -- as well as a new 345 KV substation. The Project is designed to extend an existing ComEd transmission line to connect with the new substation near the intersection of Keslinger Road and Crego Road in Afton Township. It will enable ComEd to continue meeting its service reliability obligations for the
In addition to holding public meetings last summer, ComEd met with local landowners to answer questions about the Project and proposed routing options. The Project has also been shared with
“Our unprecedented period of economic growth places new demands on all forms of infrastructure, including the area’s electrical grid,” said Mayor Barnes. “By supporting this plan, we are doing what is necessary to meet current and future energy requirements of the business community, from mom-and-pop businesses to Fortune 500 companies, as well as residential customers who have come to expect reliable service even in the face of more frequent and more severe storms due to climate change. We believe ComEd’s KARE Project will help accomplish these goals.”
ComEd partnered with Burns & McDonnell, a nationally recognized engineering firm with extensive experience in the electrical transmission sector, to conduct the routing study for the KARE Project. Data was collected in a 23-square-mile area to inform the development of route alternatives and assess existing conditions and the natural and cultural resources within the study area. The proposed routing options minimize impact to the land and surrounding community.
ComEd anticipates that the ICC will render its decision on the KARE Project toward the end of 2025. If approved, construction of the KARE Project is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and conclude by the end of 2027. The KARE Project is the first ComEd transmission line requiring ICC siting approval since the Grand Prairie Gateway, which went into service in 2017, extending for 60 miles across
About ComEd
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FAQ
When will ComEd's KARE Project construction begin and end for EXC shareholders?
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