U.S. Senator Jerry Moran plans to introduce legislation aimed at safeguarding the private property rights of Kansans affected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s proposed national interest electric transmission corridors (NIETC), one of which would span much of the state. These corridors would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to use eminent domain for new transmission lines in certain cases, including if a state regulatory authority denies the siting of a proposed line. Moran’s proposed legislation would prevent federal funds from being used to condemn private property for NIETC designations and bar FERC from overruling a state regulator’s rejection of an electric transmission project.

Other members of the Kansas federal delegation, including Congressman Tracey Mann, have also expressed strong opinions on this issue. In a letter to the Department of Energy, Mann urged the agency to avoid using eminent domain in the NIETC designation process and to provide clear geographical boundaries for the proposed corridors, specifying areas that fall solely within DOE’s jurisdiction and not under private landowners’ control.

KLA staff will keep members informed about the status of these regulations and any new legislation that may be introduced.