October 04, 2024
Chicago, IL – A group of environmental and consumer advocacy groups is urging the Illinois Supreme Court to review a decision that overturned approval of the Grain Belt Express (GBX) transmission line.
The group argues that, beyond impeding the development of this critical infrastructure, the appellate court’s reversal will have far-reaching impacts by weakening the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC’s) ability to independently assess projects that help implement the state’s Clean and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) for a cleaner energy future in Illinois.
“Given the critical importance of clean energy to Illinois, this Court should step in to assess whether the appellate court improperly halted the GBX project.” the groups stated in an amicus brief filed on Thursday.
If constructed, the GBX transmission line will connect multiple renewable energy sources to regional grids, boosting power capacity and affordability while facilitating the mandated closure of fossil fuel plants. In August 2024, the Illinois 5th District Appellate Court reversed the ICC’s approval of the GBX transmission line after the ICC had granted the project a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) in March of 2023.
The brief was filed by the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Citizens Utility Board (CUB).