Oklahoma officials celebrate cancellation of 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor crossing state

Property owners across the state are breathing a sigh of relief at the cancellation of an 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor, but by no means does that signal time to retreat and close eyes to future potential projects.

Numerous communities and groups across the state raised alarm over the project, culminating in a well-attended meeting at the Creek County Fairgrounds where House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert announced that the federal Department of Energy was removing designation that would have allowed eminent domain for the project, leading to its scrapping.

The Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (top image) was part of 10 different projects announced by the DOE earlier in the year (below).

Below are press releases (chronologically) from different Oklahoma elected officials praising the cancellation:

Sen. Tom Woods commends Oklahomans who opposed proposed federal electric transmission corridor

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13th) – Sen. Tom Woods, R-Westville, released the following statement commending Oklahoma landowners who stood in opposition to the U.S. Department of Energy’s proposed electric transmission corridor that would have spanned hundreds of miles across the state.

“No private property owner in our state should be fearful that the federal government will force them to surrender their land. I commend the residents of Sequoyah County and the thousands of affected Oklahomans who opposed this attempted federal land grab and worked to uphold the rights of landowners in our state. Their efforts send a clear message that Oklahomans will not tolerate federal overreach, and I’m thankful our efforts were successful in preventing the construction of this corridor.”

Energy Department cancels electric transmission corridor opposed by Drummond, Hilbert

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13, 2024) – The Biden Administration’s Department of Energy is scrapping an 18-mile-wide electric transmission corridor proposed to span Oklahoma, just one day after Attorney General Gentner Drummond and incoming state Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert asserted their opposition to the plan. Both leaders cited conversations with senior department officials informing them of the cancellation.

Drummond hailed the decision and thanked Speaker-elect Hilbert for his leadership on the issue. 

“I am very thankful that countless Oklahoma landowners no longer live under the tyrannical threat of federal eminent domain,” said the Attorney General. “Speaker Hilbert’s leadership in this issue was truly impactful, and the property owners in his district and all along the proposed corridor should be grateful for his efforts.”

Drummond issued a letter yesterday morning to U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm outlining his stern opposition to the plan

“The proposed corridor will undoubtedly have a negative effect on property owners’ livelihoods,” he wrote. “The threat of Federal Eminent Domain to property owners is classic Federal overreach. Representing all Oklahomans, I will not sit idly by and allow it to proceed without exercising all lawful measures to protect the private property rights of our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers.”

Known as the Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor, it is one of several proposed corridors across the U.S. intended to expand the nation’s power grid. It would have stretched from the western panhandle through the Arkansas border, measuring up to 18 miles in width along the way.

Drummond’s letter of opposition can be read here.

Murdock comments on feds scrapping plans for electric transmission corridor

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13th) – Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, on Friday celebrated the federal government’s decision to scrap plans for an energy transmission corridor through Oklahoma.

In light of news that the Delta Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor won’t move forward, Murdock said he stands with local landowners in opposition to federal land grabs. The proposed transmission corridor would have stretched across Oklahoma from the Panhandle to the state’s border with Arkansas.

“Yesterday the U.S. Department of Energy notified me and other Oklahoma leaders of its decision to eliminate consideration of the 645-mile electric transmission corridor that the federal government had proposed running from Oklahoma to Arkansas,” Murdock said. “This corridor threatened the private property rights of our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, who made their voices heard. I am proud to have stood side by side in agreement with Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, and countless Oklahomans in successfully fighting this federal overreach.”

Murdock also addressed some questions from constituents about the similar but unrelated Cimarron Link transmission project. He emphasized Cimarron Link is separate from the federal NIETC initiative, and that Oklahoma needs an abundance of power to attract cutting-edge industries to the state.

“There is a place for responsible energy infrastructure development, but it must benefit Oklahoma and balance the property rights of Oklahomans,” Murdock said. “I am also appreciative of efforts by Invenergy for encouraging the Department of Energy to withdraw the corridor designation in the area of its Cimarron Link project, a transmission line that will bring power produced in partnership with farmers and ranchers in the Oklahoma Panhandle to serve the energy needs of Oklahomans.”

The Cimarron Link project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs. Invenergy aims to invest millions of dollars in local communities while working with property owners to reach easement agreements that benefit both parties. Murdock said the company must also respect private landowners’ rights when constructing its transmission line.

Speaker-Elect Applauds Decision to Halt Controversial Energy Transmission Line

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13th) – House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert today applauds the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) confirmation that the proposed Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) will not proceed in its designation process. This decision marks a significant victory for Oklahoma communities and reinforces the power of grassroots advocacy and local input.

“This announcement is a testament to the voices of Oklahomans who stood together to defend their land, livelihoods and local autonomy,” said Speaker-Elect Hilbert, R-Bristow. “The proposed transmission line would have imposed an unnecessary burden on our communities without clear local benefits, and we are pleased that the Department of Energy has recognized the concerns raised by our citizens.”

The DOE confirmed the decision in a statement from Kristen Nawoj, spokesperson for the Grid Deployment Office, noting that the Delta-Plains NIETC would not advance into the next phase of the designation process. The DOE also announced plans to release updated maps and details for other proposed NIETCs the week of December 16, as well as to invite further public input.

“Oklahoma has always been a leader in energy production and innovation, but we firmly believe that development must respect our communities and their voices,” said Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa. “While we are encouraged by this outcome, we remain committed to working with our federal partners to ensure that Oklahoma’s interests are respected in any future energy infrastructure decisions.”

The proposed Delta-Plains NIETC had drawn widespread controversy from landowners, who raised concerns about its potential impact on property rights.

"We will continue to monitor developments and advocate for policies that align with our state’s values and priorities," said Hilbert.

Pro Tem-Elect Paxton Comments on Federal Electric Energy Corridor Project Being Canceled

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13th) – Pro Tem-Elect Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, today released the following statement after the proposed 645-mile long, 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor was canceled.

The Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Corridor would have resulted in the seizure of private property for electric transmission lines.

“No landowner should be subjected to this kind of federal overreach,” Pro Tem-Elect Paxton said. “I am proud of my state partners who stood up for property owners and the rights of Oklahomans who had grave concerns about this project that provided no benefit to our state. It is unacceptable for the federal government, with an outgoing administration, to try and push through a project that would burden Oklahomans. The cancelation of this project shows that state leaders stand ready to defend our citizens and push back against federal overreach.”  

Chuck Hall comments on cancellation of federal transmission corridor through Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 14th) – Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry, today released the following statement after the federal government canceled plans for a 645-mile federal transmission corridor that would have run through northern Oklahoma.

Plans for the corridor that would have crossed from Oklahoma’s Panhandle to the state’s border with Arkansas showed the transmission project could go through Kingfisher, Logan and Payne counties, which make up part of Hall’s Senate district.

“The Biden administration’s attempt to strip local landowners of their property for a misguided transmission corridor would have harmed Senate District 20 and all of Oklahoma,” Hall said. “I brought my numerous concerns about this massive transmission corridor to Oklahoma’s Attorney General, and I proudly worked alongside a coalition of state leaders to fight this blatant federal overreach. I’m pleased to see the federal government finally listened to the voices of Oklahomans who overwhelmingly opposed this project. By working together, we sent a clear message that Oklahoma stands firmly with our farmers, ranchers and landowners in support of private property rights and against federal land grabs.”

Lucas Applauds Rescission of "Delta Plains Corridor"

Washington, DC (Dec. 16th) – Congressman Frank Lucas released the following statement regarding the Department of Energy’s rescission of the “Delta Plains Corridor” from the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor Designation.

“I am pleased that the Department of Energy is rescinding the ‘Delta Plains Corridor’ as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. This action will return eminent domain authority to the state and preserve landowners’ rights in Oklahoma. Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought diligently for the rights of landowners both in Oklahoma and across the country. Today, I am extremely pleased to know that those rights are protected and upheld.”