Virginia Governor, Attorney General Urge Rejection of National Transmission Corridor in Virginia

Joint Letter to Secretary of Energy Explains Opposition to Plan

July 9, 2007 -- Richmond - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R) and Governor Tim Kaine (D) have signed a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman declaring their opposition to Virginia’s inclusion in the proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC). The joint letter was sent to the Secretary on Friday in response to a Department of Energy request for formal comment. It follows prior comments made by the Governor and Attorney General separately.

Speaking about the letter Attorney General McDonnell noted, “Federal preemption of Virginia’s historical, and necessary, control over transmission siting issues is unacceptable. Virginia knows far better than Washington the unique issues and concerns when it comes to placing transmission lines in the Commonwealth. In addition, Virginia has taken numerous steps that will ensure the continued reliable supply of energy both in Virginia, and in the Mid-Atlantic region, in the decades ahead. For these reasons we have jointly requested that Virginia not be included in the proposed NIETC.”

The letter argues that no region of Virginia should be included in a federal "transmission corridor." States included in the federally designated corridors will, under certain circumstances, be subject to federal decisions about where utilities should locate large electric transmission lines. The corridors are intended to promote the construction of transmission projects to serve the regional needs, but would allow the federal authorities to ignore important local impacts: historic, economic and environmental interests frequently protected by state transmission siting proceedings. The letter sets out Virginia's energy policies, and recent re-regulation of electricity, and explains that they are not inconsistent with the interests of the mid-Atlantic region but, in fact, will provide benefits beyond Virginia's borders. It also explains how inclusion in a designation is likely to delay, rather than expedite, decisions about proposed transmission projects already proposed in Virginia.

The letter specifically states, “Virginia should not be included in DOE’s designation of National Transmission Corridors.As a policy matter, Virginia has long understood the importance of ensuring reliable electric service at a reasonable cost. The Commonwealth has in place law, policy, and practices to effectively address the state’s energy needs. Virginia’s laws, policies, and practices do not conflict with, but inure to the benefit of, the energy needs of the citizens of the Mid-Atlantic region.”

Source: Virginia Attorney General

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