The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has secured $8.3 million from the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Grid Deployment Office to improve the review process for several transmission projects through the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MIS) territory. The project will streamline the transmission line siting review and approval processes in Illinois, ensure better protection of natural resources and historical sites, and incorporate community-identified requirements into the transmission siting approval process. The ICC will also digitize records and upgrade public-facing databases that house data on environmental and cultural resources along lines under review. The grant will enable IDNR to conduct surveys of endangered and threatened species, create conservation guidance, and assess species’ status.

Solar Dominates US Energy Capacity Growth
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has published data showing that solar accounted for over 75% of US electrical generating







