US western states want final say on transmission
Date: 10-Sep-01
Country: USA
While more transmission lines are needed to carry power in the growing western U.S. states, it has been difficult to get them built because of local resistance.
Republican Gov. Jane Dee Hull of Arizona, Chairman of the Western Governors' Association, said legislation the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was considering in coming weeks should focus on cooperation and not federal usurpation of state authority.
"Western states, collectively and individually, have been very aggressive in addressing a wide range of energy issues, from extensive conservation measures to the siting and permitting of new generation," Hull said in a letter to the senate committee.
"We have agreed to move forward on a plan for streamlining the permitting of interstate transmission by next June. We have clearly demonstrated that decisions on these issues are best made at the smallest, most appropriate geographic area."
She called attempts to have the federal government decide on where to put transmission lines "unwarranted and inappropriate."
The governors said no Western state has ever denied a permit for an interstate transmission line. The major challenges in siting long distance transmission lines have typically involved those crossing federal lands and the governors want federal agencies to coordinate with them any reviews of transmission line applications.
In addition to Hull, the letter was signed by Tony Knowles of Alaska, Gray Davis of California, Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, Kenny Guinn of Nevada, Gary Johnson of New Mexico, John Kitzhaber of Oregon, Bill Janklow of South Dakota, Mike Leavitt of Utah, Gary Locke of Washington and Jim Geringer of Wyoming.