Environmentalists sue DOE

Eleven environmental groups sued the Department of Energy over its creation of a corridor in the mid-Atlantic region that could smooth the way for construction of new power lines.

Under a 2005 law, the federal government can approve new power transmission towers within corridors such as this one if states and regional groups fail to approve such lines. The law was passed following the 2003 blackout that rippled from Ohio to Canada and New York City.

Last year, the Energy Department designated the mid-Atlantic corridor and another in the Southwest.

In two separate complaints, the environmental groups claim the Department of Energy violated environmental laws by failing to study the impact the corridor designation would have on air quality, wildlife, habitat and other natural resources.

They asked the court to declare the corridor invalid and in violation of the law.

The National Wildlife Federation, the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Environmental Advocates of New York, Clean Air Council, Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, Civil War Preservation Trust, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Brandywine Conservancy and National Lands Trust filed the complaints in federal court in Pennsylvania's middle district.

The mid-Atlantic corridor includes parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Julie Ruggiero, an Energy Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that designation of the corridors "in and of itself has no environmental impact."

She said the designation "identifies a problem and shines a spotlight on areas of the country that are experiencing or could experience interruptions in power supply... designation of corridors is critical because it encourages stakeholders to look at electricity generation from a regional and national perspective, identify solutions, and take prompt action."

Another environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a similar lawsuit in federal court in California challenging the designation in the Southwest. The Southwest corridor includes seven counties in Southern California and three counties in southwestern Arizona.

In a nod to critics, the Department of Energy said in December it would take more time to review requests for a rehearing on the corridor designations.

Related News

ev

New Texas will bill electric vehicle drivers an extra $200 a year

DALLAS - Plano resident Tony Federico bought his Tesla five years ago in part because he hated spending lots of money on gas. But that financial calculus will change slightly on Sept. 1, when Texas will start charging electric vehicle drivers an additional fee of $200 each year.

“It just seems like it’s arbitrary, with no real logic behind it,” said Federico, 51, who works in information technology. “But I’m going to have to pay it.”

Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 505, which requires electric vehicle owners to pay the fee when they register a vehicle or renew their…

READ MORE
powerlines

Lawmakers push bill to connect Texas grid to rest of the nation

READ MORE

ieso

New Electricity Auctions Will Drive Down Costs for Ontario's Consumers

READ MORE

ford transit van

Ford announces an all-electric Transit cargo van

READ MORE

france ireland connection

Ireland and France will connect their electricity grids - here's how

READ MORE