Report: Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line among 22 projects that could increase U.S. renewable energy generation by 50%
April 30, 2021
A new report by clean energy proponents has included the planned Cardinal-Hickory Creek Transmission Line among 22 high-voltage power line projects that, if completed, could support a 50% increase in U.S. wind and solar generation.
The multi-value transmission project, planned by American Transmission Co., ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative now under construction in Iowa, will connect northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin. Cardinal-Hickory Creek will provide economic savings, support renewable energy policy and improve electric system reliability.
The report by American Council on Renewable Energy and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid identifies 22 projects that could “begin construction in the near term if more workable transmission policies are enacted.” The projects could interconnect around 60,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity. Additionally, the projects identified in the report would add around 8,000 miles and 42,000 megawatts of transfer capacity to America’s transmission system, improving electric system reliability.
Building the projects would create 600,000 jobs, while building new wind and solar projects would add 640,000 more jobs, according to the report.