U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has named two National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs): the Mid-Atlantic Area NIETC and the Southwest Area NIETC.
The DOE made its designations – which are effective for 12 years – based on data and analysis showing that persistent transmission congestion exists in these two areas. The Mid-Atlantic Area NIETC includes certain counties in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Virginia, and all of New Jersey, Delaware and the District of Columbia. The Southwest Area NIETC includes certain counties in California and Arizona.
The two new NIETCs will focus attention on the need for action to keep pace with the changing needs of American consumers, states DOE, adding that it will encourage and pursue a number of solutions for meeting future electricity demand, including implementing energy-efficiency measures; developing and encouraging the increased use of clean, renewable energy technologies; developing more local generation; and optimizing operation of the electricity grid.
