Energy corridors to stay, Department of Energy decides

Kevin M. Kolevar, U.S. Department of Energy assistant secretary for electricity delivery and energy reliability, announced today the Department's designation of two National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors -- the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest.

The Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor includes certain counties in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and all of New Jersey, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. The Southwest Area National Corridor includes certain counties in California and Arizona.

New York Regional Interconnect wants to build a power line through portions of Utica and Oneida County south to Orange County in the Mid-Atlantic corridor.

The department based its designations on data and analysis showing that persistent transmission congestion exists in these two areas, Kolevar said.

"These National Corridors serve as an important indication by the federal government that significant transmission constraint or congestion problems exist," Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman said. "The goal is simple - to keep reliable supplies of electric energy flowing to all Americans. By designating these National Corridors, we are encouraging stakeholders in these regions to identify solutions and take prompt action."

DOE's designation of the two National Corridors will be effective on the publication of today's Report and Order in the Federal Register.

For information on FERC's transmission siting policy, visit: www.ferc.gov/industries/electric/indus-act/siting.asp.