NEMA Urges NARUC to support transmission construction.

Press Release Summary:



National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will consider a resolution to support current federal policy on interstate transmission line siting at an annual winter meeting in Washington D.C. NEMA President and CEO, Evan R. Gaddis, encourages NARUC to adopt resolution EL-1 Resolution Regarding Possible Federal Legislation Amending the Federal Power Act Addressing Expansion of Transmission Facilities to meet growing demands.



Original Press Release:



NEMA Urges NARUC to Support Transmission Construction



ROSSLYN, Va., February 13, 2009-During its annual winter meeting in Washington D.C., the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will consider a resolution to support current federal policy on interstate transmission line siting. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided the federal government with backstop siting authority to help facilitate transmission facilities that cross state boundaries.

NEMA President CEO Evan R. Gaddis encourages NARUC to adopt resolution EL-1 Resolution Regarding Possible Federal Legislation Amending the Federal Power Act Addressing Expansion of Transmission Facilities.

"Bottlenecks on the electric transmission system decrease electric reliability and cost consumers billions of dollars per year," Gaddis said. "A clear nationwide siting process will help this country build the necessary lines to connect clean renewable generation with growing needs this country study congestion and identify bottlenecks."

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 required the Department of Energy to study congestion and identify bottlenecks, known as National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC). Based on the National Electric Transmission Congestion Study released by the Department of Energy in 2006, transmission line projects must be in NIETCs before they can be considered for possible federal siting under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority. The designation of national corridors will reduce uncertainty by allowing the federal government to license facilities in the national interest in cases where states have not acted in a reasonable time.

NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. The Association's Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.

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