Map of Potential NIETC Geographic Area in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Department of Energy, 5.8.2024)
What is the National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor Designation: The National Interest Electrical Transmission Corridor (NIETC) is a designation given to geographic areas by the United States Department of Energy. This designation is designed to help the department support growing nationwide transmission line needs by streamlining approval processes in place at the state level. According to the Department of Energy, a NIETC designation allows for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue permits for transmission line projects with the designation area under the circumstances that state authorities (in Virginia, the State Corporation Commission) do not have authority to site the line, have not acted on an application for over 1 year, or have denied an application.
What does this mean for Loudoun? This would allow for NextEra, or other utility companies, to build within the geographic areas designated to support the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link project, even if the State Corporation Commission denies construction.
What can I do? The Department of Energy are accepting public comments on the geographic boundaries of the moving forward designations considerations until June 24, 2024 at 5:00PM ET. Public comments can be sent to NIETC@hq.doe.gov.
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