State Representative Lauren Boebert Proudly Serving the 3rd District of Colorado | Facebook Website
State Representative Lauren Boebert Proudly Serving the 3rd District of Colorado | Facebook Website
After a concerted effort led by Congresswoman Lauren Boebert and county leaders from Southeast Colorado, the Department of Energy (DOE) has extended the deadline for public comments on the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor of the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC). The new deadline is set for Tuesday, April 15th. Rep. Boebert communicated directly with Energy Secretary Chris Wright to express concerns about transparency in the process initiated by the Biden Administration and opposition from farmers and ranchers worried about property rights.
"The extension of the public comment period for the NIETC is an important win for Southeast Colorado, public transparency, and private property rights," stated Congresswoman Boebert. "County leaders, ranchers, farmers, and residents of all backgrounds now have additional time to express their concerns with this project instead of it being forced on us by the Biden Administration. I'm very thankful for the numerous counties and towns that joined me in speaking up for this public comment period extension and I'm grateful to Secretary Wright and his team at DOE for listening to the concerns of 4th District constituents."
Constituents are encouraged to submit their comments via email to NIETC@hq.doe.gov using the subject line: 2024-29419 (89 FR 101597).
Recently, Rep. Boebert addressed a meeting with Prowers County Commissioners to voice her support and commitment to addressing community concerns. Following her lead, several counties including Prowers, Bent, Baca, Kiowa, and Crowley passed resolutions criticizing the process managed by the Biden Administration while advocating for more time to review plans.
The National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor is part of a federal initiative under President Biden's administration aimed at enhancing energy infrastructure control but has faced criticism over potential impacts on private property rights in rural areas.
The Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor spans Southeast Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma Panhandle as one of three corridors slated under NIETC's current agenda.
Rep. Boebert elaborated on these issues in an interview with The Fence Post.
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