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 (34 kilometers) 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 (515 kilometers) 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.
