Se Colorado News

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado has urged a halt to a Department of Energy initiative under the Biden Administration that may affect over 325,000 acres of private land in Prowers, Kiowa, and Baca Counties. In correspondence with Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Boebert requested reconsideration of the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor's inclusion in the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC). She also asked for an extension of the public comment period, which is set to conclude on February 14.

“In listening to local elected officials and constituents across Southeast Colorado, it is clear the Biden Administration's Department of Energy failed to reach out to the public and prevented any transparency of their scheme to seize private property and build out their Green New Deal fantasy,” said Congresswoman Boebert. "This project fails to align with President Trump's Unleashing American Energy Executive Order and would significantly harm the rights of rural Coloradans while putting our local economy at risk. I'm calling on Secretary Wright to quickly reevaluate this misguided project and listen to the rural Coloradans who have serious and reasonable concerns over the NIETC coming through their community."

The NIETC is part of an effort by the Biden Administration focusing on federal control over energy infrastructure without considering private property rights or potential impacts on rural communities. The Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor spans Southeast Colorado, New Mexico, and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is one of three corridors moving forward under NIETC.

Residents concerned about NIETC can submit comments until February 14. Further details were discussed by Rep. Boebert in an interview with The Fence Post.

The full letter from Congresswoman Boebert to Secretary Wright is available for reading.