The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiated the establishment of a 5- to 15-mile-wide energy corridor which severely impact the property rights of landowners in eastern New Mexico, according to the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association (NMCGA).
The DOE has already completed phases one and two of the project called National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC) and is in the comment phase of Phase Three, which cuts a 5- to 15-mile-wide swath through some of eastern New Mexico’s prime agricultural country and impacts several towns.
During a webinar presentation on Jan. 15, DOE representatives only outlined their plans for Phase Four, which documents and defines the human and environmental impact. Subsequent environmental impact statements, if deemed necessary by the DOE, would be implemented. Potential objections were not addressed.
The questionable need for these transmission corridors, as documented by a publication of Landmark Resource Firm, is needed to unlock $2 billion in financing designated in the current Infrastructure Act. This program would allow the DOE to enter into public-private partnerships to develop transmission projects within the NIETCs.
The guidelines establishing the NIETCs indicate a “national interest” policy that provides eminent domain action available if landowners do not reach a satisfactory agreement with transmission line developers. The landowner options would be to either sell/lease their property to developers or face taking by the eminent domain process.
The order establishing the corridor implementation does not differentiate between the various types of electricity. It leaves the type open ended which could include wind, solar, hydroelectric and the necessary support such as battery storage, waste disposal and large facilities.
This action directly affects seven counties in New Mexico. Those are Otero, Eddy, Rosevelt, Curry, Lea, Quay and Union counties. The county commissioners in several of the affected counties have held informational meetings with more planned. The consensus at the present meetings is that the county commissioners need to establish a united front to fight the project.
Additionally, county residents need to contact their county commissioners voicing their standing on the proposed NIETC corridors. Contact phone and email addresses for the county commissioners are listed on the affected county websites. Contacts for state representatives and state senators are on the New Mexico Legislature website.
The NMCGA is developing fact sheets on the impacts of the NIETC and will make them available to anyone who calls their office at 505-247-0584. The fact sheet will be mailed or emailed. The staff encourages callers to share their concerns, comments and ideas for addressing the issue.
Information on submitting factual comments to the Federal Register by the Feb. 14 deadline will be available soon. Comments must be included in the Federal Register in order to be used in any possible litigation.
The NMCGA strongly urges landowners to talk to neighbors, commissioners and legislators about this urgent issue. The organization strongly urges elected officials and citizens to insist that DOE representatives face the people affected and answer questions. — NMCGA
