As reported in our previous articles,  Balancing Energy Progress and Property Rights and Kansas Fights Back Against Federal Transmission Corridor Plans opposition to the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) is growing among landowners, state officials, and advocacy groups in Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Concerns about eminent domain, environmental impacts, and potential health risks have been widely discussed, but we are going to present a mapping tool to take a closer look at the proposed transmission corridor (Thanks Bev Ming for sending this to us), We also want to remind you to contact your legislators on this issue and comment before the February 14 deadline.  

The following link Geospatial Energy Mapper (GEM) allows you to  zoom in and see more details on the proposed NIETC corridors. Instructions for accessing are shown below. Thanks Bev Ming for sending this to us The following link Geospatial Energy Mapper (GEM) allows you to  zoom in and see more details on the proposed NIETC corridors.  Thanks Bev Ming for sending this to us.

1. When you open this map, go to layers
2. Scroll down to Phase 3 potential National Interest Electrical Transmission corridors (12/16/24)
3. When the map opens enlarge the map you can see where the NIETC corridors are located
4. Zoom until you see the detail you wish.

More detailed instructions with screen shots are provided below:

When you open this map, go to layers:

Scroll down to Phase 3 potential National Interest Electrical Transmission corridors (12/16/24):

When the map opens enlarge the map you can see where the NIETC corridors are located

Zoom until you see the detail you wish.

Next Steps for Opposition Groups

With the February 14 public comment deadline approaching, landowners in affected states are pushing back harder than ever. Advocacy groups are encouraging residents to demand transparency from the DOE and to pressure federal lawmakers to intervene.

Take Action: Contact Federal Legislators

Residents concerned about the NIETC designations should reach out to their federal representatives:

Colorado:

• Senator John Hickenlooper – (202) 224-5941 | hickenlooper.senate.gov
• Senator Michael Bennet – (202) 224-5852 | bennet.senate.gov
• Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-03) – (202) 225-4761 | boebert.house.gov

Kansas:

• Senator Jerry Moran – (202) 224-6521 | moran.senate.gov
• Senator Roger Marshall – (202) 224-4774 | marshall.senate.gov

New Mexico:

• Senator Martin Heinrich – (202) 224-5521 | heinrich.senate.gov
• Senator Ben Ray Luján – (202) 224-6621 | lujan.senate.gov
• Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-3) – (202) 225-6190 | fernandez.house.gov

Oklahoma:

• Senator James Lankford – (202) 224-5754 | lankford.senate.gov
• Senator Markwayne Mullin – (202) 224-4721 | mullin.senate.gov
• Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK-5) – (202) 225-5565 | bice.house.gov

Public comments can be submitted via email to NIETC@hq.doe.gov or through the Federal Register before the deadline.

As of December 2024, the public comment period for the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) is open until February 14, 2025. Key points about the NIETC public comment period:

Date to submit comments: February 14, 2025

Who is soliciting comments: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Purpose of comments: To gather feedback on potential NIETC corridors, including their geographic boundaries and potential environmental impacts You can submit public comments on the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by: 

Emailing NIETC@hq.doe.govMailing comments to U.S. Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office, 1000 Independence Ave SW, Suite 4H-065, Washington, DC 20585Submitting comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.govYou can include the relevant docket number(s) in the subject line of your email or in your written comments: DOE-HQ-2024-0096-0001Why submit comments?The DOE uses public comments to: Increase geographic specificity of NIETCs, Spur additional transmission development, Improve environmental reviews, and Tailor future public engagement.