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US DOE Cancels 3 Proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors

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The US Department of Energy on Wednesday said it has decided against designating three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors selected in December 2024.

A review, which included public and stakeholder feedback, showed that the designation process for the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Tribal Energy Access Corridor should not continue, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in a statement.

"As the process unfolded, the current designation framework proved ineffective in strengthening grid reliability and reducing electricity costs. In some communities, it also contributed to confusion and concern about the scope and intent of NIETC authority," the statement added.

Designation in this context refers to the DOE officially identifying a geographic area as a NIETC. Through the designation process, the DoE identifies an area where improving transmission is considered to be in the national interest. It does not mean approving a specific transmission project, according to information on the DoE website.

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