Iowa Utilities Commission Decision on ITC Midwest Electric Transmission Line

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Published December 1st, 2025

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) has issued a final decision and electric transmission line franchise to ITC Midwest LLC for a project spanning four counties. The decision approves the construction of 345 kV and 161 kV electric transmission lines, estimated at $221 million, and grants eminent domain over a specific parcel.

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What changed

The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) has issued a final order and electric transmission line franchise to ITC Midwest LLC in Docket No. E-22544. This decision grants ITC Midwest the authority to construct, operate, and maintain approximately 60.58 miles of 345 kV and 161 kV electric transmission line segments across Marshall, Tama, Benton, and Linn counties in Iowa. The commission also found that granting eminent domain over one requested parcel is necessary for public use, and the estimated $221 million project is consistent with Iowa Code chapter 478.

ITC Midwest has two years from the decision date to construct the transmission line. Regulated entities involved in energy infrastructure projects in Iowa should note the IUC's finality in approving such projects and the conditions under which eminent domain can be granted. The IUC retains jurisdiction for further filings. No specific compliance actions are mandated for external parties beyond what ITC Midwest must undertake for construction.

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IUC issues decision in ITC Midwest electric transmission line docket

Monday, December 1, 2025
Press Release

Project to build 345 kV and 161 kV lines spans four counties

The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) today issued its final decision order and an electric transmission line franchise to ITC Midwest LLC in Docket No. E-22544 for a project in Marshall, Tama, Benton and Linn counties in Iowa.

The order comes after the IUC held a hearing in Toledo, Iowa, in July 2025 to gather and hear evidence regarding the project. The franchise allows ITC Midwest to construct, erect, operate, and maintain 345 kV and 161 kV electric transmission line segments, which consist of approximately 60.58 miles in Marshall, Tama, Benton, and Linn counties and 33.76 miles in Marshall, Tama, and Benton counties. ITC Midwest has two years to construct the electric transmission line.

ITC Midwest filed its application in July 2024. The company requested eminent domain over one parcel of land, and the IUC found that granting eminent domain over the requested property is necessary for public use, and that the estimated $221 million electric transmission line project is necessary to serve a public use and represents a reasonable relationship to an overall plan of transmitting electricity in the public interest consistent with Iowa Code chapter 478.

The IUC retains subject matter jurisdiction of this docket for purposes of receiving and acting upon such additional filings as may be appropriate.

Today’s Order Granting Petition for Electric Transmission Line Franchise and Right of Eminent Domain and all filings in Docket No. E-22544 are available in the IUC’s electronic filing system at efs.iowa.gov.