History
Congress passed a provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 directing the U.S. Department of Energy to create a process for designating large geographic areas as "National Interest Energy Transmission Corridors" (NIETC). The designation, while ambiguously defined, is intended to reduce congestion by facilitating construction of new transmission infrastructure. The proposed NIETC corridors would cover broad areas of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware. These new and untested provisions of the Energy Policy Act promote "fast-track" citing approval that could bypass state-level processes for locating transmission infrastructure, override federal environmental laws, and enable federal condemnation of private land for new high voltage transmission lines.
Threat
Construction of the new high voltage transmission lines within the proposed NIETCs risks direct, indirect and cumulative harm to historic, cultural and archaeological resources. For example, the National Park Service has identified at least 55 National Parks and 14 heritage areas within the proposed Mid-Atlantic NIETC corridor, which also encompasses African-American historic sites, numerous scenic rivers and byways, and the nation's greatest concentration of Civil War battlefields. Unfortunately, this fast-track approval process is likely to preclude meaningful federal protection for historic resources as mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act. It will also undermine the work of generations of local residents and elected officials to protect the corridors' historic character and natural beauty for all Americans.
Dominion/Allegheny High Voltage Transmission Line Corridor: According to the Piedmont Environmental Council, a proposed 500-kilovolt transmission line, with 160-foot towers and a 200-foot right of way, could scar the landscape for 240 miles from southern Pennsylvania, through West Virginia, and ending in Loudoun County, Virginia. In response to public opposition to the original proposed route, the power company has outlined a new route along existing rights of way; however, the original route has been submitted as an "alternative." In both cases, for the seven Virginia counties involved, the power company's proposed routes would adversely impact 21,725 acres of Civil War Battlefields, 37 designated historic sites, 69,190 acres of designated historic districts, 12.9 miles of the Appalachian Trail, 70 miles of birding and wildlife trails, 208 miles of designated scenic byways, 62 miles of designated scenic rivers, 100,200 acres of land privately protected through conservation easements, and 9,744 acres of publicly owned open space. For more information, visit Piedmont Environmental Council (for Virginia) at www.pecva.org, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (for Pennsylvania) at http://conserveland.org, and the Capon Valley Coalition (for West Virginia) at www.caponvalleycoalition.com.
New York Regional Interconnect High Voltage Transmission Line Corridor: According to the New York Regional Interconnect application, a 190-mile, 400-kilovolt transmission line, with 120-foot towers and 200-foot right of way, is proposed for New York. According to the power company's limited initial research, the proposed high voltage transmission line would potentially adversely impact the Delaware River, currently designated "Wild and Scenic;" and 66 historic sites and districts listed or eligible for listing in the National Register, including a mile-long section of the D&H Canal, a National Historic Landmark District. At least 265 archaeological sites are in the path of the proposed power line. For more information about local opposition to the project, visit Communities Against Regional Interconnect at www.caricoalition.org.
Solution
In affected areas, concerned citizens have encouraged their neighbors to sign petitions, distribute information door to door and e-mail power companies and elected representatives. In addition, a national coalition of historians, conservationists and those concerned with energy efficiency could help change the political and corporate climate of building more power plants and transmission lines rather than seeking sustainable solutions. It's time to consider a broader range of options to meet energy needs before causing irreparable harm to exceptional historic and environmental resources.
