Electric Transmission Line Project in Buena Vista and Sac Counties, Iowa

Strategic Insights -

The Iowa Public Utilities Commission has published a detailed document outlining the planned electric transmission line project in Buena Vista and Sac Counties, Iowa. The project, filed with the commission on May 12, 2025, seeks to construct a 69,000-volt transmission line spanning approximately 5.24 miles. The line will connect the MidAmerican Energy Company's Buena Vista switching station to the Corn Belt Power Cooperative's Hanover substation, passing through rural areas and traversing several roads and waterways.

Key Takeaways:

  • The transmission line will span approximately 5.24 miles, connecting the MidAmerican Energy Company's Buena Vista switching station to the Corn Belt Power Cooperative's Hanover substation.
  • The line will pass through rural areas, crossing several roads, including 70th Avenue, 60th Avenue, and County Highway M27/20th Avenue.
  • The transmission line will traverse the Powell Creek and the public road right of way of County Highway C49/580th Street.
  • The line will connect to existing 69kV transmission lines at both the north and south endpoints.
  • The project was filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission on May 12, 2025.
  • The north endpoint of the line is located in the North Half of Section 19, T-91N, R-37W of the 5th P.M., Buena Vista County, Iowa.
  • The south endpoint of the line is located in the Northwest Quarter of Section 6, T-89N, R-37W of the 5th P.M., Sac County, Iowa.

Statistics:

  • The total distance of the 69,000 Volts line is approximately 5.24 miles.
  • The line will span approximately 4.00 miles along the south boundary of 600th Street and the subsequent roads.
  • The west endpoint of the line will be approximately 1.24 miles west of the east endpoint.
  • The transmission line will pass through approximately 3.22 miles of private right of way.
  • The line will cross approximately 4 public roads.

Sources:

  • "EXHIBIT A 69,000 Volts Nominal (72,500 Volts Maximum) Electric Transmission Line Buena Vista County, Iowa" (Iowa Utilities Commission, May 12, 2025).
  • "HANOVER TAP 69,000 Volts Nominal (72,500 Volts Maximum) Electric Transmission Line Buena Vista County, Iowa" (Iowa Utilities Commission, May 12, 2025).