MOUNT VERNON — Ameren Transmission is looking to improve energy reliability in the region and is hosting two in-person public open houses this week in Jefferson and Wayne counties to gather additional public input.

The first open house is set for 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday at the Fairfield Elks Lodge, located at 201 SE 2nd Street in Fairfield.

The second open house will take place from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday at the Rolland Lewis Community Building, located at 800 S. 27th Street in Mt. Vernon.

Community members previously provided an initial round of input in April. More details are available at Ameren.com/MTVAreaProject.

Ameren Illinois Company (AIC) and Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) are proposing the Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Project to address the needs of customers in Jefferson and Wayne counties and the surrounding region.

The Mt. Vernon Area Reliability Project is the first proposed project in a larger portfolio of energy projects called the South-Central Illinois Transmission Expansion (SCITE) Program.

The SCITE Program is being jointly developed by Ameren Transmission and regional member cooperatives and will provide significant reliability benefits for regional energy grids and customers across the southern portion of Illinois.