For Release: June 20, 2007
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Richmond-Attorney General Bob McDonnell issued the following statement regarding the Wolf-Hinchey Amendment which would not allow the use of any federal funds for the designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors for the upcoming fiscal year.
“The Office of the Attorney General has had serious concerns regarding the proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor and its potential impact on the Commonwealth, and the process by which the draft NIETC was developed. The designations could result in unprecedented encroachment upon the traditional role of the states in the approval of electric transmission projects, and consultation with affected states in the process has been inadequate. We have expressed these concerns to the Department of Energy and will continue to do so. States must play the key role in the siting of electric transmission lines, as they understand far better the environmental, historic, and economic implications of these decisions.
For these reasons, I support the Wolf-Hinchey Amendment, co-sponsored by Virginia representative Frank Wolf. I join the Governor, Congressman Wolf, and a host of other individuals and organizations, in supporting this legislation that will not allow the use of any federal funds for implementation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor legislation over the next fiscal year. This will allow needed time for the additional input from the states, and further discussion with the federal government, on this critical energy policy question.”
The Office of the Attorney General is statutorily charged with representing Virginia consumers in utility matters. Further, the Office of the Attorney General serves as legal counsel to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation which holds over 70,000 acres of open-space easements included in the current draft designation.
###
