On Tuesday night, leaders of three central Kansas counties met to discuss a proposed energy corridor that has landowners concerned. The National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) is a route designated by the federal government to expand projects to transport electricity. The federal proposal could take a five-mile-wide path of land through Kansas or future energy transmission needs. Many residents are worried that their land will be taken through the eminent domain. “They want to know that their family’s safe, or that their business, if it runs across a business, that their business is safe,” said Barton County District 2 Commissioner Barb Esfeld. During the meeting, county commissioners from Barton, Russell, and Pawnee counties, along with state and federal legislators, heard residents’ concerns and discussed what to do next. “You’re going to have to keep showing up if you want to see change,” said Pawnee County Commissioner Bob Rein. Over 100 people gathered at Barton Community College on Tuesday. Their goal is to answer a few concerns, such as the eminent federal domain and how the corridor relates to the Grain Belt Express, an already approved private energy line that has been in the works for over a decade.
Source: KSN-TV
