SPRINGFIELD - Illinois will receive more than $15 million in federal money to construct an electric transmission line in southern Illinois.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday the $15.3 grant for Illinois is part of nearly $350 million in 20 rural electric projects in 14 states.
The Illinois project allows Marion-based Southern Illinois Power Cooperative to install 21 miles of transmission line from the Marion Power Plant to a new substation in Carrier Mills. The Southern Illinois operation is owned by seven member-distribution cooperatives and serves about 100,000 customers in 35 counties.
Marion is 320 miles south of Chicago.
The money comes from the Electric Infrastructure Loan Program. It finances generation, transmission and distribution projects; system improvements; and energy-conservation programs in areas with 10,000 or fewer residents.
