Corridor Stop

Green groups sue over DOE’s plans for electric transmission corridors 7

Green groups are suing the Department of Energy over its plans for electric transmission corridors in the U.S. Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The groups say the DOE violated environmental laws by failing to take into account the potential impacts of the high-voltage transmission lines on air quality, wildlife, and habitat; the corridors encompass dozens of state and national parks, refuges, and recreation areas. In addition, say the groups, boosting the electric-transmission network is a not-so-subtle OK for the U.S. to continue largely sourcing its power from Big Coal. Christopher Miller of the Piedmont Environmental Council suggests, "Reducing both peak and base load demand through energy efficiency, conservation, and expanding demand response programs should be a priority." Hear, hear.

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  1. GreyFlcn Posted 1:39 pm
    12 Jan 2008

    WhyWhy would transmission lines impact air quality?
    Also isn't "wildlife, and habitat" kind of redundant?
    Interconnection is also vital for electric power sources like WIND.

    http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2007/december5/wind ...
    _
    Who wrote this synopsis anyways?

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  2. Tasermons Partner Posted 2:47 pm
    12 Jan 2008

    Good question...Why would transmission lines impact air quality?
    Electro-magnetic interference count as air quality?
    Perhaps the emissions from construction and maintenance vehicles?
    And interconnection is vital for renewable sources, but I think that most of the ones bein' opposed here were meant for more conventional energy sources (like coal and gas).

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  3. Orfintain Posted 1:05 pm
    13 Jan 2008

    Could they be used for solar transimission?http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan

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  4. Wolverine Posted 6:40 am
    14 Jan 2008

    Interconnection NOT Necessary!Please stop spreading this anti-environmental lie.  There is nothing that prevents solar panels on every roof and wind generators in every yard.  Centralized power is just like globalized trade; it's inherently environmentally destructive.  Just look at the ruined natural areas in the photos in the Stanford article linked to by GreyFlcn.  I fully support Robert Kennedy's opposition to a wind farm off the coast, though for totally different reasons.  Even if the only harm was aesthetic, natural views for all species are worth fighting for.

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  5. lengould Posted 6:01 am
    15 Jan 2008

    Welllll, actually...."There is nothing that prevents solar panels on every roof and wind generators in every yard."  --  Have you ever tried to get a permit to install a wind generator in your back yard?  Good luck if you live anywhere near any BANANA's or you happen (most likely) to be connected to those utilities who simply confiscate any excess generation (talk to your local regulator).

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  6. Tasermons Partner Posted 1:59 pm
    15 Jan 2008

    More on the subject...http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/01/big_coal_gets_w.p ...

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  7. caniscandida Posted 6:58 pm
    15 Jan 2008

    "wildlife" and "habitat"Right, Grey Falcon, I thought that was redundant too, to include both those terms.
    But I suspect "wildlife" refers to killing animals more or less directly; "habitat" refers to degrading their living conditions, thus reducing their chances of survival in the relevant locations, and driving the survivors to emigrate, if that is possible.

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