Section 1221(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 updates Section 216 of the Federal Power Act and requires the Department of Energy 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 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.

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