For Release: Nov. 20, 2006
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
McDonnell Calls on Energy Secretary to Consult Virginia Officials
Attorney General Cites Environmental, Procedural Concerns about NIETC in Northern Virginia
RICHMOND - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell today publicly released a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman regarding the Attorney General’s environmental and procedural concerns about the proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) that would cross through the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia’s Piedmont Region.
Speaking about the letter and the NIETC Attorney General McDonnell noted, “It is imperative that we ensure the reliable and cost effective delivery of energy to our growing population centers. However, we must meet those demands in a way that follows the statutory procedures which allow for the proper input of all affected parties and preserves Virginia’s historical and environmental resources. Improving energy transmission, while mitigating environmental disruption, is a significant challenge. That makes it all the more necessary for the process to unfold in a deliberative and responsible manner under the law. Some required procedures have not been followed and that is why I have taken this step of asking the Secretary of Energy to address these concerns.”
In the letter, the Attorney General states that in determining the location of a NIETC, federal law requires that the federal government consult with its state counterparts. This has not occurred at this point. Further, given the environmental sensitivity of the targeted area, and its pivotal role in our nation’s history, the Attorney General calls for a full Environmental Impact Statement to be prepared so that the impact of this proposed transmission corridor will be known prior to any final decision being made. The National Environmental Policy Act directs that such a statement be prepared in a situation such as this one, but at this point no such action is underway.
The proposed NIETC would cut across some of Virginia’s most scenic and historic land. The NIETC, as currently proposed, would impact both the Shenandoah National Park and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historical District. In addition, according to the Piedmont Environmental Council, the proposed NIETC would also potentially impact 80,000 acres under easement, 16 existing historic districts, 17 potential/proposed historic districts, 4 National Historic Landmarks, 44 State and National Historic Sites and 6 Civil War Battlefields.
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 in the area that would possibly be impacted by the NIETC.
