CONGRESSWOMAN BOEBERT WELCOMES DOE DECISION TO CANCEL SOUTHWESTERN GRID CONNECTOR CORRIDOR
Lamar, CO — Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R-CO) issued the following statements on the Department of Energy’s decision to cancel three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs):
“I welcome the Department of Energy’s decision to cancel the three previously proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, including the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor. This is a smart course correction,” said Rep. Boebert.
A NIETC is a narrow geographic area where DOE has determined that transmission constraints or congestion are raising costs or hurting reliability for American consumers. The designation is meant to help prioritize urgently needed transmission projects — not dictate specific routes or override local communities.
After extensive public feedback from landowners, local governments, Tribes, and other stakeholders, DOE rightly recognized that the process for these three corridors had created confusion and concern. The canceled proposals are the Lake Erie–Canada Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor.
"American families and businesses need a strong, reliable electric grid—not federal processes that create more uncertainty than progress. As a strong advocate for rural Colorado, I will continue fighting to protect consumers, private property rights, and local input,” said Rep. Boebert.
Background: DOE reviewed extensive public feedback and determined that the current NIETC designation process for these three proposed corridors was not effectively supporting transmission development. In some regions, the process created confusion, concern, and misunderstandings about DOE’s authorities and intentions. Moving forward, DOE will pursue transmission planning strategies that are more effective, better aligned with state and local priorities, and consistent with Administration policies focused on affordability, reliability, and security.
Importantly, DOE is not ending the NIETC program. It is recalibrating the process to better align with state and local priorities, the upcoming 2026 National Transmission Needs Study, and a clear focus on affordability, reliability, and energy security.