National Electric Transmission Corridor Report and the Ordered National Corridor Designations
In accordance with section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act, the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an order on October 2, 2007, for two National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (National Corridor) designations:
- Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor (includes some or all counties in DE, OH, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV, and DC); and
- Southwest Area National Corridor (seven counties in Southern California and three counties in western Arizona).
National Corridor Designation Maps
List of Counties and Cities Included in the Designated Corridors
National Electric Transmission Congestion Report
This is a report and order by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on its August 2006 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study under section 216 of the Federal Power Act (FPA). Two national interest electric transmission corridors have been designated: the Mid-Atlantic Area National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (Docket No. 2007-OE-01); and the Southwest Area National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (Docket No. 2007-OE-02).
DATES: The designations are effective on the date the National Electric Transmission Congestion Report is published in the Federal Register, and will remain in effect until 12 years from the date the National Electric Transmission Congestion Report is published in the Federal Register unless DOE rescinds, renews, or extends the designation after notice and opportunity for comment. (NOTE: Actual dates will be inserted as soon as they become available.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information, David Meyer, DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, (202) 586-1411, david.meyer@hq.doe.gov. For legal information, Lot Cooke, DOE Office of the General Counsel, (202) 586-0503, lot.cooke@hq.doe.gov.
OVERVIEW OF REPORT BY SECTION
I. Background
II. Summarizes and responds to the comments received on the draft Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor.
III. Summarizes and responds to the comments received on the draft Southwest Area National Corridor.
IV. Summarizes and responds to the comments received on the applicability of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to National Corridor designations.
V. Orders the designations of the Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor and the Southwest Area National Corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
DOE News Release
Remarks by Assistant Secretary Kevin Kolevar
FERC Transmission Line Siting Web Site
Ordered Corridor Designations
The Department has carefully reviewed the roughly 2500 comments that have been received, and prepared recommendations for the Secretary of Energy to issue the order for National Corridor designations in the draft areas, as amended. Designation of a National Corridor does not mean that DOE advocates the construction of new electric transmission facilities as the only or best method to alleviate congestion within the Corridor.
Application for Rehearing
Information on being a party to this proceeding and applying for a rehearing.
Draft Corridor Designations
On May 7, 2007, in accordance with section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued two draft National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (National Corridor) designations.
Draft Corridor Public Meetings
The ordered National Corridors address the two Critical Congestion Areas identified in DOE's National Electric Transmission Congestion Study of August 2006. DOE invited public input on the draft designations as announced in the Federal Register notices of May 7, 2007 and June 7, 2007, and conducted seven public meetings at the following locations:
- May 15, 2007 - Arlington, Virginia;
- May 17, 2007 - San Diego, California;
- May 23, 2007 - New York, New York;
- June 12, 2007 - Rochester, NY;
- June 13, 2007 - Pittsburgh, PA;
- June 20, 2007 - Las Vegas, NV;
- June 21, 2007 - Phoenix, AZ.
Public Comment Period
The public comment period on the draft National Corridors ended July 6, 2007.
Responses Received
Responses received to designation of the draft National Corridors are available under "View Public Comments, Public Meeting Materials, and Other Correspondence."
Public Meetings
As noted above, DOE held 7 public meetings in response to the draft National Corridor Designations. Transcripts and materials received are available under "View Public Comments, Public Meeting Materials, and Other Correspondence."
Public Meeting Presentations
DOE presentations on the draft National Corridors used at the Rochester and Pittsburgh public meetings (Draft Mid-Atlantic Area National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor) the Phoenix and Las Vegas public meetings (Draft Southwest Area National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor) are available below.
Draft National Corridor Designation Documents
The 2 Federal Register notices on the Draft National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor Designations are available below.
Draft National Corridor Designation Maps
Past Public Participation Opportunities
Search Submitted Congestion Study Comments
Public comment documents submitted for the National Electric Transmission Congestion Study are available for online browsing or downloading.
DOE Technical Conference on the Criteria for Designation of National Corridors
DOE hosted a public technical conference concerning the criteria for evaluation of candidate areas as National Corridors on March 29, 2006 in Chicago, IL. The chief purpose of this conference was to discuss key issues raised by commenters' responses concerning the criteria here proposed for the evaluation of geographic areas for designation as National Corridors. An audio web cast was held for those who were unable to travel to Chicago for the technical conference.
DOE Federal Register Notice of Inquiry (NOI) and Comments on Considerations for Transmission Congestion Study and Designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors
On January 27, 2006, DOE approved a Federal Register Notice of Inquiry which was published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2006. The Notice of Inquiry seeks comments on issues relating to the Congestion Study and Designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors. The comment period closed on March 6, 2006. The Notice and the compiled comments are posted below.
The Department of Energy sought comment and information from the public concerning its plans for a transmission congestion study and possible designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors ("National Corridors"). Through this 30-day Notice of Inquiry, the Department invited comment on draft criteria for gauging the suitability of geographic areas as National Corridors and announced a public technical conference concerning the criteria for evaluation of candidate areas as National Corridors.
|
 |
Print version
