US Department of Energy Cancels National Transmission Corridors, Citing 'Green New Scam'
The US Department of Energy has cancelled three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, citing the Biden administration's 'Green New Scam agenda'. The move has been met with criticism from environmental groups, who argue that the cancellation will worsen grid reliability and increase costs for ratepayers.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it will not move forward with the designation of three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors. The decision was made in a recent release, which stated that the corridors were selected as a means to advance the Biden administration's "Green New Scam agenda".
According to the DOE, the current designation framework has proved ineffective in strengthening grid reliability and reducing electricity costs. The agency also alleged that the framework has contributed to confusion and concern about the scope and intent of NIETC authority in some communities.
The three cancelled corridors are the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor. These corridors were selected to provide needed resource adequacy support to the PJM Interconnection, provide cross-interconnection and interregional connections between the Southwest Power Pool and WestConnect regions, and facilitate Tribal energy and economic development.
A NIETC designation can unlock federal financing tools, specifically public-private partnerships, as well as allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue permits for the siting of transmission lines within the NIETC under certain circumstances.
The cancellation of the NIETC corridors has been met with criticism from environmental groups, who argue that it will worsen grid reliability and increase costs for ratepayers. The Environmental Defense Fund and Clean Air Task Force have released statements criticizing the decision, with the latter stating that transmission congestion increases costs and reduces reliability for ratepayers.
The Trump administration has taken steps to build new transmission infrastructure and modernize existing infrastructure, citing several billion-dollar loans made by its Office of Energy Dominance Financing to build, rebuild and reconductor transmission lines.
### Cancellation of NIETC Corridors
The cancellation of the three NIETC corridors has been met with mixed reactions. While some groups have praised the decision, others have criticized it as a step backward for grid reliability and affordability.
### Grid Reliability and Affordability
The cancellation of the NIETC corridors has raised concerns about the impact on grid reliability and affordability. Environmental groups have argued that the cancellation will worsen grid reliability and increase costs for ratepayers.
### Federal Financing Tools
A NIETC designation can unlock federal financing tools, specifically public-private partnerships, as well as allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue permits for the siting of transmission lines within the NIETC under certain circumstances.
### Comparison of NIETC Corridors
| Corridor | Purpose | | --- | --- | | Lake Erie-Canada Corridor | Provide needed resource adequacy support to the PJM Interconnection | | Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor | Provide cross-interconnection and interregional connections between the Southwest Power Pool and WestConnect regions | | Tribal Energy Access Corridor | Facilitate Tribal energy and economic development |
The cancellation of the NIETC corridors has significant implications for the US energy landscape. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the future of the US energy grid hangs in the balance.
