Section 1221a
Last updated: 04/04/07
National Electric Transmission Congestion Study - August 2006
Congestion Analysis Deliverables
The Congestion Study was conducted in two parts: the Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection. The Eastern Interconnection Analysis was conducted for the Department of Energy by CRA International, Inc.(CRAI) and the Western Interconnection Analysis was conducted by the Western Congestion Assessment Task Force (WCATF). To access the deliverables presented by CRAI and WCATF please click on the following links:
Background
Section 1221(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 updates Section 216 of the Federal Power Act and requires DOE to issue a national transmission congestion study for comment by August 2006 and every three years thereafter. Based on the study and public comments, DOE may designate selected geographic areas as "National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors." Applicants for projects proposed within designated corridors that are not acted upon by state siting authorities within one year may request FERC to exercise federal "backstop" siting authority. For more information please contact Ms. Poonum Agrawal at Poonum.Agrawal@hq.doe.gov or (202) 586-1411.
Information on the pre-EPACT 2005 work in this area.
Timeline
- 10/10/06 – Comment period on congestion study and designation closes
- 08/08/06 – DOE issues (National Electric Transmission Congestion Study) with a 60-day comment period
- 06/06/06 – DOE informs Early Designation requestors that it will not make any designations until after the congestion study is released
- 04/14/06 – Comment period in response to technical conference closes
- 03/29/06 – DOE hosts Technical Conference on the Criteria for Designation of NIETCs
- 03/06/06 – Comment period closes on NOI
- 02/02/06 – DOE issues Federal Register Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Considerations for Transmission Congestion Study and Designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors
Related Information
DOE Technical Conference on the Criteria for Designation of NIETCs
DOE hosted a public technical conference concerning the criteria for evaluation of candidate areas as NIETCs on March 29, 2006 in Chicago, IL. The chief purpose of this conference was to discuss key issues raised by commenters' responses concerning the criteria here proposed for the evaluation of geographic areas for designation as NIETCs. An audio web cast was held for those who were unable to travel to Chicago for the technical conference.
DOE Federal Register Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Considerations for Transmission Congestion Study and Designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors
On January 27, 2006, DOE approved a Federal Register Notice of Inquiry which was published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2006. The Notice of Inquiry seeks comments on issues relating to the Congestion Study and Designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors. The comment period closed on March 6, 2006. The Notice and the compiled comments are posted below.
The Department of Energy sought comment and information from the public concerning its plans for a transmission congestion study and possible designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors ("NIETCs"). Through this 30-day Notice of Inquiry, the Department invited comment on draft criteria for gauging the suitability of geographic areas as NIETCs and announced a public technical conference concerning the criteria for evaluation of candidate areas as NIETCs.
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