By: Eliza Anderson and Cara Chidester
The NIETC or National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors is a geographical area that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has identified as having significant transmission capacity issues or congestion issues. The DOE wants to find NIETC corridors and add transmission lines and infrastructure which would help improve the flow of electricity and reduce the cost of electricity generation and delivery.
The problem is many Kansans have made it clear they are not interested in selling their farms, businesses, or homes to the government. Kansans are also worried about the government taking their land by eminent domain which could upset generational farms and hurt businesses. The DOE originally only had a 45-day comment period in which Kansan voices could be heard, it was recently extended because they realized it was not enough time for people to understand the full effect of NIETC transmission lines on their lives for good or bad.
Senator Jerry Moran, Senator Roger Marshall, Congressman Tracey Mann, and Congressman Ron Estes introduced a bill that would prevent the federal government from using taxpayer dollars to seize private property to be used for electric transmission lines. Kansans, not the federal government, should be making decisions about their land.
If the land is part of a NIETC corridor the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has the authority to decide where to put transmission lines even if the state does not agree. The federal government should be collaborating fairly with landowners making sure their rights are considered and not pushing aside state decisions. The Biden Administration Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gives FERC the power to approve these lines, even if the state says no. Even though there is high government control over NIETC projects, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will continue to have authority over siting transmission lines within the state.
NIETC has many positives too. It would help with grid reliability, lower energy costs, give support for renewable energy, economic growth, national energy security, environmental benefits, and federal support and resources.
Currently, Kansas has two tentative NIETC corridors in the Midwest and Southwest plains. Kansas is a major producer of wind energy, but due to local transmission limitations, most of that energy is shipped to other parts of the U.S. The NIETCs help by creating the infrastructure needed to handle the increasing energy load and ensure that more energy can flow where needed.
For Kansas, the NIETC projects are important because the state has become a net exporter of energy (produces more than it needs), yet its residents pay higher transmission costs due to an outdated cost allocation system. By improving transmission capacity, the state can help make electricity more cost-efficient and ensure a fairer distribution of expenses between local consumers and out-of-state beneficiaries. This will help lower electricity rates for Kansas residents and attract further investment in renewable energy projects.
Kansas electricity rates are close to the national average but vary depending on utility providers within the state. Kansas's average price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is around 11.12 cents. Kansas residential customers pay about 13.62 cents per kWh, while commercial and industrial rates are lower, at approximately 11.11 and 8.06 cents per kWh respectively. Kansas electricity costs are competitive compared to some states, especially those in the Midwest(U.S. Chamber of Commerce)(Kansas Electric Cooperatives).
The NIETC corridor is not set in stone but the tentative plan would go through parts of Washington, Clay, Cloud, and Mitchell which would also affect Republic County residents, farmers, and business owners. The question is whether NIETC transmission lines will do more good or bad for Republic County and other Kansas Communities.
For more information watch Senator Moran's floor speech on NIETC in the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00hGq_lf5zk&t=21s
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