There's still time to get your comments in to the U.S. Department of Energy on its plan to let transmission developers request National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NITECs) that coincide with financially lucrative transmission projects. Once the DOE designates a NIETC at the request of a project developer (merchant or otherwise), the project owner will have FEDERAL EMINENT DOMAIN to take your property against your will. Don't go quietly without a fight! Tell the DOE that you object to its plan to allow greedy transmission developers to decide where, when, and why to build new transmission. The back yard you save may just be your own.
New transmission has been juiced by government giveaways of taxpayer cash.
New transmission has been juiced by government giveaways of taxpayer cash.
DOE says it intends to use designation of NIETCs as a pedestal for its cash giveaways. A transmission project with an NIETC is suddenly eligible for piles of taxpayer cash. Funny how that works, when the enabling statute actually says NIETCs should be designated for the purpose of benefiting electric consumers.
Once a developer requests a NIETC for its project and DOE approves, permitting for the transmission project shifts to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC wants to open a separate permitting process for such a project, to run at the same time as your state permitting process. That way, if your state denies a permit, FERC is standing there poised with its rubber stamp to overrule what your state utility experts decide.
Once a developer requests a NIETC for its project and DOE approves, permitting for the transmission project shifts to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC wants to open a separate permitting process for such a project, to run at the same time as your state permitting process. That way, if your state denies a permit, FERC is standing there poised with its rubber stamp to overrule what your state utility experts decide.
Don't miss your opportunity to let DOE know what you think online so that you don't have to stand outside FERC's building and sing a song like this some day.
Ready? Go here.
Just fill out the form. You can even check a box to remain anonymous. You don't have to give your name (although, personally, I always prefer to own my words).
The deadline for comments is just a week away on July 31!
Don't know what to say? If the information in this blog isn't enough for you to compose a comment, then you may find inspiration reading some of the comments that have already been submitted. They cover a wide range from obsequious greedy transmission developers, to other government agencies, to citizens just like you.
Get your comments in now before time runs out!!!
Ready? Go here.
Just fill out the form. You can even check a box to remain anonymous. You don't have to give your name (although, personally, I always prefer to own my words).
The deadline for comments is just a week away on July 31!
Don't know what to say? If the information in this blog isn't enough for you to compose a comment, then you may find inspiration reading some of the comments that have already been submitted. They cover a wide range from obsequious greedy transmission developers, to other government agencies, to citizens just like you.
Get your comments in now before time runs out!!!
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