Melrose FFA chapter president warns Roosevelt County commissioners about federal transmission corridor

Truett Sali, introduced by county staff as the Melrose FFA chapter president, delivered a prepared speech titled “Power Lines and Pastures” during the Roosevelt County Commission meeting, arguing that the proposed Southwestern grid connector corridor would put ranch and farm land at risk through eminent domain.

Sali described the corridor as a broad, multi-mile right-of-way through eastern New Mexico and said federal authority could allow corridor use “at any point in time, no matter how long in the future” for projects the Department of Energy deems necessary. He told commissioners landowners face the prospect of roads, substations and other infrastructure replacing grazing land and wildlife habitat and said the corridor would cover “1,825,000 acres of New Mexican land.”

The student urged continued engagement between elected officials and producers. “County commissioners and government officials need to hear the concerns from their producers and voters,” he said. Commissioners praised Sali’s research and presentation skills and presented him with a certificate recognizing his first-place finish in the district prepared public-speaking contest.

Sali’s speech included policy recommendations — calling for a written statement from the U.S. Department of Energy discontinuing remaining NITC corridors and for congressional action to amend the Federal Power Act — and described prior, unsuccessful legislative efforts in 2024. The commission did not take formal action on the corridor during the meeting; commissioners said they have raised opposition elsewhere and noted county-level resolutions have been taken to state and national associations previously.

The presentation drew public praise from commissioners and a reminder from the sheriff and staff to maintain dialogue with constituents on federal proposals affecting private property.