CREDIT: www.comed.com/

It ain’t over ’til it’s over, but a group of administrative law judges has recommended that the Illinois Commerce Commission deny a certificate for the Grand Prairie Gateway Project, a power-line network that would run from Byron in Ogle County, through DeKalb and Kane counties to the village of Wayne in DuPage.

The $250 million project would connect substations and install about 400 metal power towers along 60 miles of rights of way.

Construction has been opposed by Kane County, the Kane County Forest Preserve District and many municipalities, townships and units of government along Grand Prairie Gateway’s path, including the city of Elgin, the village of South Elgin, School District U-46, the village of Burlington, the city of Sycamore and Ogle County, as well as individuals, businesses and homeowners associations.

“I am excited but I caution; there are still briefs on exceptions to be filed,” said John Tomasiewicz in an email to neighbors and friends in northern Kane County. “We can expect ComEd to vehemently take exception to the Proposed Order.”

ComEd had argued that Grand Prairie Gateway’s 345kV transmission line would improve electricity delivery, alleviate congestion and reduce costs.

Opponents expressed concerns about the impact of power lines running through forest preserves and farms and that the electric and magnetic fields might cause health problems if built in proximity to residents.

Read More

• Daily Herald: Kane officials oppose ComEd’s proposed power line path
• Daily Herald: Residents sound off on ComEd’s Grand Prairie power line
• Commonwealth Edison presentation to Kane County