ITC Midwest Newsletter
Fall 2025

ITC Midwest moves forward
to support load growth

ITC Midwest is constructing its largest substation to date – Big Cedar Substation in southwest Cedar Rapids – to support significant electricity load growth. The substation is scheduled to be energized by March 2026 to support the load growth. The additional load growth has the potential to reduce upward network rate pressure for the distribution utilities served by ITC Midwest.

Other infrastructure enhancements are underway to further support the increased load. In addition, other projects are being developed to increase system capacity and help ensure system reliability.  

ITC Midwest appreciates the partnership with Alliant Energy, the City of Cedar Rapids, the City of Fairfax, local community officials and many others. Their support has been essential to facilitating the economic growth we help drive in the communities we are privileged to serve.

ITC Midwest celebrates line worker excellence
and clean energy at Iowa State Fair

A team representing ITC Midwest competed in the first annual Iowa Lineman Rodeo at the Iowa State Fair. Utilities from across the state showcased the skills, talents and safety procedures that their line workers use every day in the event organized by the Iowa Utility Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local unions. The event also highlighted Iowa utility careers to the future workforce, with local school representatives in attendance. Each team – including ITC Midwest’s dedicated contractor Utility Lines Construction Services (ULCS) – competed for bragging rights amongst their peers.

ITC Midwest also celebrated American Clean Power Week while at the Iowa State Fair, joining Power Up Iowa and the American Clean Power Association to spotlight the growing impact of renewable energy in Iowa. A highlight of the day was an appearance by long-tenured Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, known as the grandfather of renewables. ITC Midwest’s participation in the event emphasized how clean power is transforming Iowa’s communities and empowering residents to make informed energy choices for the future.

ITC Midwest leaders lead business panels, participate in conferences

Late summer, ITC Midwest leaders participated in several key meetings to reinforce the company’s position as an Iowa electric transmission leader.

ITC Midwest’s Customer and Business Solutions team connected with economic development professionals at the Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) Conference, held in September in Ankeny.

Director of Customer and Business Solutions Cheri Monahan highlighted the company’s economic development strategy while participating in a panel discussion at the Business Breakfast Series in Cedar Rapids in September.

Local Government and Community Affairs Area Managers Scott Arnold and Jamie Toledo represented ITC Midwest at the Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference & Exhibit in September in Des Moines. The event brought together more than 400 municipal leaders including city clerks, council members, mayors and city managers from across Iowa.

Additionally, Director of Customer and Business Solutions Cheri Monahan and Local Government and Community Affairs Area Manager Jamie Toledo hosted a meeting of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Innovation Council in Cedar Rapids in August.

ITC engineers discuss 765 kV design at Iowa State University’s Electric Power Forum 2025

Supervisor of Special Projects Aaron Graber (line design standards) and Supervisor of Substation Standards Alex Rannow (substation design standards) presented at a 765 kV design workshop as part of Electric Power Forum 2025, the 62^nd Electric Power Research Center (EPRC) conference at Iowa State University in Ames last spring.

As 765 kV is a new grid voltage for the upper Midwest, Aaron and Alex discussed the overall approach that ITC is taking to develop design standards for this new, major grid infrastructure.

ITC’s participation in the workshop demonstrates the company’s leadership in integrating new technology into the high-voltage power grid and demonstrates how our company is working in collaboration with other utilities and the industry to develop these new 765 kV systems.

You’re invited to join us for the ITC Midwest Fall 2025 Partners in Business Meetings!

Partners in Business Meetings help keep our customers, community partners and other important stakeholders updated on ITC Midwest activities and projects. Through these meetings, we work to build connections and share information that benefits stakeholders and allows them to maximize the benefits of our investments in the regional grid.