Marshall County Commissioners signed a letter and a resolution opposing the proposed Midwest-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC). Sent to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the letter criticized the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s authority to override state decisions, emphasizing concerns about the property rights of local residents affected by the five-mile-wide corridor designation.

The commissioners highlighted the county’s agricultural significance, local ecosystem, and historic sites at risk from the project. They oppose any federal actions that diminish local control or involve taking private property through eminent domain.

County Counselor Anthony Bruna prepared the documents, part of a wider local pushback against NIETC projects. Senators Jerry Moran, Roger Marshall, and Representative Tracey Mann introduced legislation to block eminent domain use in NIETC corridors. The bills are still pending.