The Federal Power Act authorizes the Secretary of Energy to designate a geographic area as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) when statutory criteria are met. NIETC designation is one tool available to address transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers and to support transmission development where federal intervention would serve the national interest.
DOE initiated a four-phase NIETC designation process in December 2023. After reviewing the 2023 National Transmission Needs Study, considering public and governmental input, and evaluating other information collected during the process, DOE concluded that there is not a sufficient basis to designate any of the three potential NIETCs that advanced to Phase 3 in December 2024.
On August 12, 2026, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will not move forward with designating any of the three NIETCs previously selected in December 2024 to advance in the review process.
NIETC Process Phases
The four-phase NIETC designation process was established to identify and evaluate potential corridors, engage affected states, Tribes, local communities, industry, landowners, and other stakeholders, and conduct any required environmental review. The process that began in December 2023 is now complete, with no NIETCs designated from the three potential corridors that advanced to Phase 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
- DOE determined that there is not a sufficient basis to designate any of the three potential NIETCs that advanced to Phase 3: the Tribal Energy Access Corridor, Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and Lake Erie-Canada Corridor.
- The determination reflects DOE's review of the 2023 National Transmission Needs Study, public and governmental input, and other information collected during the designation process.
- Contributing factors included significant public concerns and a lack of broad support, the rescission of Transmission Facility Financing funding, the lack of expressed developer interest in seeking FERC backstop siting authority, and the broader applicability of Transmission Facilitation Program funding to projects outside the NIETC program.
- DOE's determination does not preclude the possible designation of one or more NIETCs in the future, consistent with the Federal Power Act.
A NIETC designation can make certain federal transmission tools available. For example, developers of eligible transmission projects within a NIETC may be able to pursue public-private partnership support under the Transmission Facilitation Program. A designation can also trigger FERC authority to issue permits for transmission facilities within a NIETC in certain circumstances. A NIETC designation does not itself approve or select a specific transmission project.
For the official determination and supporting rationale, see DOE's July 2026 Report Concerning Designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors. Additional background on the designation process is available in the Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact Us
Questions and comments can be submitted to NIETC@hq.doe.gov.