Department of Energy cancels three proposed national transmission corridors

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has canceled the review process for the three remaining proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs). The canceled corridors include the Lake Erie–Canada Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor.

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated that the decision follows an extensive review of public and stakeholder feedback. He emphasized that the administration aims to prioritize affordable and reliable electricity while avoiding policies that he described as a “climate-alarmist agenda” that could increase costs or disregard local community concerns.

Critics, including the Clean Air Task Force, argue that the cancellation undermines efforts to expand the national electric grid and meet rising electricity demand. They noted that the NIETC program, established by Congress, is designed to address transmission bottlenecks and unlock federal financing and siting authorities for critical infrastructure projects.