“HOLD” ON NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION

Putting together a new transmission corridor is a complicated negotiation for rights of way. Confrontations with imposed-upon individuals often result. When power, especially wind and solar power, can be delivered to population centers from remote regions where it is generated, great numbers of people can go on working and living safely through peak demand periods.

Well-organized and sometimes emotional opposition comes from landowners and environmentalists who fear new lines would compromise the landscape or support unwanted new power plants.

Needed peak demand power can come from New Energy if there are lines to carry it and smart grids to integrate it. By slowing new transmission infrastructure development, DOE takes into consideration the objections of the few but ignores the needs of the many.

Utilities say they will not yet apply for special privileges to proceed on grounds of urgency but a season of brownouts may change that stance.

Energy Department to Rethink Its Ruling on Power Lines
Chris L. Jenkins (with Sandhya Somashekhar and Anita Kumar), December 5, 2007 (Washington Post)

WHO
Department of Energy (DOE) (Julie Ruggiero, spokeswoman), Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R), utilities Pepco Holdings, Dominion Virginia Power; Robert W. Lazaro Jr., spokesman, Piedmont Environmental Council

East coast transmission under reconsideration. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
DOE has decided to slow the development of vital new electricity transmission lines as announced in National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors" (NIETC) and reconsider objections.

WHEN
Decision to fast track transmission came in October 2007. Current decision to reconsider announced December 5.

WHERE
Controversial lines under reconsideration: a 300-mile line from Virginia through Maryland to New Jersey (Pepco); a 240-mile line through parts of Warren, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties (Dominion Virginia); 7 Southern California counties; 3 Arizona counties

WHY
- The October report promised utilities the opportunity to submit new transmission plans over objections of state and local authorities.
- Environmentalists are among those objecting to new transmission development that is needed to carry New Energy.
- In some cases Civil War battlefield and other historic sights might be imposed on.

The Southwestern transmission under reconsideration. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Ruggiero, DOE: "To give these requests full consideration, [DOE] will take additional time to thoroughly evaluate the basis of their requests…"
- Gov. Kaine: “[Virginia's authority should not be compromised] by the State Corporation Commission and similar bodies in other states…And the notion that the feds would preempt states' action, take away our land-use powers and even use eminent domain to grab property is a bad idea."
- Attorney General McDonnell: "The inclusion of Virginia . . . fails to consider a number of local environmental, cultural, historical and aesthetic considerations. During the formal rehearing we will make this case again, and I look forward to a full and fair hearing from the Department of Energy."
- Lazaro Jr., environmentalist: "We were hoping that they would just put in a stay and say, 'We're not moving forward with any NIETC…We're not popping any champagne bottles yet."
- Dominion spokeswoman: "We do not intend to use the federal process…This is a state decision."