AC Collector System
About AC Collector System
The Alternating Current Collector Lines, or “AC Collector Lines”, consist of overhead alternating current electric transmission lines and associated infrastructure. The AC Collector System will provide nearby wind and solar facilities with a path to new markets via the Grain Belt Express high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line and will enable economic and reliability benefits for Southwest Kansas families and communities, while creating new jobs and investment in local economies.
The Bucklin-Dodge City Line is anticipated to run approximately 16 miles, and the Meade-Dodge City Line will run approximately 46 miles. Each line can serve as a delivery node for nearby electric generation facilities, minimizing overall transmission right-of-way requirements.
Together with other regional electricity infrastructure, these facilities will:
- Provide easement and lease payments for farmers and ranchers
- Create thousands of construction jobs
- Boost economic activity and jobs at local restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and shops
- Create long-term revenues supporting local public services and schools
- Generate hundreds of millions of dollars in worker earnings and economic output for the local communities and the State of Kansas
Provide easement and lease payments for farmers and ranchers
Create thousands of construction jobs
Boost economic activity and jobs at local restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and shops
Create long-term revenues supporting local public services and schools
Generate hundreds of millions of dollars in worker earnings and economic output for the local communities and the State of Kansas
Next Steps
Public meetings were held in February 2024 to gather input on the proposed alternative route network. Feedback from those meetings was used to refine the proposed routes for the two inter-related transmission lines. In Summer 2024, Grain Belt Express, LLC filed a siting application with the State Corporation Commission of the State of Kansas (“KCC” or “Commission”). On September 26, 2024, approved a siting permit application from Grain Belt Express LLC, establishing the route for two inter-related 345 kV alternating current (AC) transmission lines and their associated facilities, as part of the Southwest Kansas “AC Collector System.” Grain Belt Express LLC is committed to collaborating closely with route landowners and local governments. In the next month, landowners along the two AC Collector Lines will receive detailed communications from the project team regarding next steps, including the easement offer process. Read more about the KCC's decision here.
You can view the approved Bucklin-Dodge City and Meade-Dodge City routes using the interactive mapping tool below or the below schematic maps.
Bucklin-Dodge City Approved Route
Meade-Dodge City Approved Route
Timeline
Click on image to enlarge.
- Quarter 1 2024: Public and Stakeholder Engagement
- May 2024: Filing of the line siting application with the Kansas Corporation Commission
- September 2024: Kansas Corporation Commission Decision - we are here!
- Quarter 3 2024 to Quarter 1 2026: Field Studies, Permitting, Engineering and Easement Acquisition
- Construction as soon as Early 2026
- Anticipated In-Service Date as soon as 2028
