Administration proposes multi-use highway and rail corridors to cut energy costs

The Trump administration announced a voluntary nationwide program called “America’s Great Corridors of Commerce,” which would convert highway and railroad easements into multi-use utility corridors. Under the scheme, state transportation departments and railroads could lease adjacent land to private companies for installing transmission wires, fiber optic cables and water pipelines. Sean Duffy, the Transportation Secretary, argued that leveraging existing transportation corridors would reduce project costs and help keep energy affordable for Americans.

The initiative also relies on categorical environmental exemptions to accelerate construction and avoid protracted reviews. Officials framed the effort as a way to keep the United States competitive with China, which they claim is ahead in building high-voltage transmission networks. The proposal follows recent cancellations of several major transmission projects by the Energy Department.