Upgrade Illinois' power lines to keep lights on as energy demands rise

Illinois is facing a looming energy crisis. As the state strives for a cleaner, more reliable electric grid in the face of rising demand and a growing economy, we can choose to meet the moment with the homegrown clean power we know we need, or we can fail to invest in the infrastructure to support our communities.

The men and women of the Laborers’ International Union of North America Midwest Region are the best-trained workers in the industry, and they are ready to build our clean energy future. Critical to that success is interregional high-voltage direct current transmission infrastructure.

Direct current, long-distance power lines — designed to efficiently deliver clean energy where it’s needed when it’s needed — are key to fixing the problem. These interregional power superhighways do not just help meet climate goals. They’re about creating high-quality jobs, bolstering energy reliability and lowering energy bills for Illinoisians.

Speaking as a proud representative of the union workforce that builds and maintains our nation’s critical infrastructure, I know that interregional high-voltage direct current projects have the potential to be a win for our economy, a win for our residents, environment and workers. It’s time we take these wins and build a better future for Illinois.

Constructing hundreds of miles of these transmission lines is no small feat. These projects demand a skilled workforce capable of handling intricate installations, often in challenging conditions. Unions, particularly my union are the best, and often only, resource for that workforce.

Modernizing and upgrading America’s electric transmission system could create an additional 150,000 to 200,000 good-paying, family-supporting jobs every year over the next two decades and make energy delivery more efficient and reliable.

Strengthening grid reliability

Safety is the top priority for LIUNA. Through our quality work, our members make Illinois safer every day by improving vital infrastructure. Many of us take for granted the safety provided by our power grid, assuming it will always be working or quickly returned to order. However, as extreme weather events become more frequent, our energy system must be strengthened. Interregional high-voltage direct current transmission lines are a critical solution for delivering high-capacity clean power to Illinois during times of peak demand.

Let’s say Illinois is facing a historic winter storm that threatens the ability to provide reliable and affordable energy to communities: these transmission lines can transfer surplus electricity from other parts of the country where energy generation is not impacted by the same dramatic weather. This capability doesn’t just prevent blackouts — it ensures that essential services like hospitals, schools and emergency responders have the power they need when they need it.

LIUNA members, like many Illinois residents, are grappling with the very real and present-day challenge of rising energy costs. Just as road investment reduces wasted gas money and time, transmission infrastructure will help save money for consumers too. A recent study by the Department of Energy found that $1.60 is saved for every $1 spent on transmission, with the greatest cost-savings from HVDC lines. Similar analysis has shown that interregional transmission between the two organizations that manage the power grid in Illinois (PJM and MISO) could provide $1 billion in savings each year.

HVDC transmission is the cost-effective solution Illinois needs as it considers its energy future.

In this moment of continued division and polarization, interregional high-voltage direct current transmission offers a rare unifying opportunity. It’s a chance to bring together labor, business and government to build a cleaner, more resilient energy system—one that works for everyone.

For union workers, these projects mean jobs that pay well and provide benefits. For communities, they mean a more stable power supply and lower energy bills. And for Illinois and the country, they mean a modernized grid capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century.

It’s time for policymakers to prioritize interregional HVDC transmission as the cornerstone of America’s energy future. By building these energy highways, we can create jobs for today, power a cleaner tomorrow, and ensure a stronger, more reliable grid for generations to come.

David A. Frye is a vice president and Midwest regional manager for the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), representing over 50,000 families throughout 10 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas.

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