Telegraph Herald | Jacob Lucas November 29
A first-of-its-kind transmission project Iowa is an energy powerhouse thanks to an abundance of natural resources that set us apart from many other states.
Iowa is a national leader in deployment of wind and solar; our state has a significant opportunity for energy output, allowing for a robust economy that benefits Iowans. There is such an abundance of energy generated in Iowa that sometimes there is nowhere for the excess to go. The SOO Green HVDC Link project is a means to convey surplus power to other regions, thus strengthening the electric grid for an ever-increasing demand from electricity users. SOO Green is a first-of-its-kind electricity transmission project that will install a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cable along existing railroad corridors.
However, what sets this project apart from traditional transmission lines is that it will be buried entirely underground. There are no visual impacts to the eight Iowa counties it will cross, including Dubuque. This project is an innovative model that will create a new market for Iowa’s renewable energy by delivering it to the eastern part of the United States while also enhancing the power grid’s reliability and resilience. SOO Green mitigates environmental impacts by using existing transportation corridors, primarily railroad right-of-way. The direct bury cable system employs shielded power cables, insulated, and protected from the environment.
The economic impact that this project will have on the community is also noteworthy. According to the developer the project is estimated to generate almost $1 billion in economic output across Iowa. SOO Green’s presence in Dubuque also will help to create new construction, operations, and maintenance jobs in the area.
The project will continue to generate tax revenue throughout its 50-year expected service life that will help to support local infrastructure projects such as roads, emergency services and schools.
SOO Green is both innovative and important to the future of energy transmission in the Midwest. Not only will this project improve grid reliability and resilience at a regional level, but it will benefit local communities like Dubuque as well. While SOO Green plans to distribute surplus renewable energy to the eastern part of the country, the distribution system also will provide a means to import energy to the area in the event of an extreme weather event or natural disaster.
The Dubuque County Energy District is committed to the clean energy transition within Dubuque county and throughout the region. Supporting infrastructure projects such as this that enhance the resiliency of our power grid and allow for clean and local sources of energy to be distributed fall within our mission. This project is an important piece of the major transition to renewable energy.
By embracing this first-of-its-kind project, we can modernize our grid and grow Iowa’s energy-focused economy. Locally, Dubuque will enjoy many benefits, including an increase in tax revenue, all without any visual impacts since it is completely underground. I am both thrilled and eager to see SOO Green come to fruition. Join me in supporting the future of renewable energy in Iowa.
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