Rendell pans corridor

HARRISBURG n Gov. Ed Rendell recently filed final comments with the U.S. Department of Energy in opposition to the proposed Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor. Rendell argued such a designation is premature, supplants the commonwealth’s rights and may lead to projects that do not satisfy the needs of the state or nation. “The commonwealth and its citizens have some grave reservations about the Department of Energy’s broad designation,” said Rendell. “Any designation should reflect the need for additional transmission capacity but there is little evidence that Pennsylvania has obstructed siting projects in any way. The Public Utility Commission has not refused a proposed transmission project, so we find little need for the federal government to seek to assert this authority. “On top of that, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s ability to disregard a state’s evaluation of a proposed project challenges Pennsylvania’s rights. FERC may force Pennsylvania to accept projects that are far from the best choice. “These transmission lines will be on our soil, depreciate our property values, but they may not benefit our consumers. This is simply unacceptable,” he added. The Governor also questioned if FERC would adequately consider conservation, alternative technologies and different routes--something the commission’s final order does not seem to address. The Governor said this rule leaves far too much uncertainty and warrants further explanation. Rendell’s comments renew Pennsylvania’s opposition. In a June 8 letter, Rendell told Energy Department Secretary Samuel W. Bodman that the Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor, as outlined by the Department of Energy, is so expansive that it is meaningless. See www.depweb.state.pa.us for more information..