Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Environmental Group to Challenge Electricity Corridor Plan

An environmental group plans to file another legal challenge Tuesday to a federal plan designating national electricity corridors. One of those corridors is in Southern California. KPBS reporter Ed Jo

Environmental Group to Challenge Electricity Corridor Plan

An environmental group plans to file another legal challenge Tuesday to a federal plan designating national electricity corridors. One of those corridors is in Southern California. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The U.S. Department of Energy says the country’s transmission grid is old and doesn't meet the demand of western users. The corridor designation gives federal regulators the power to overrule state officials on some transmission projects.

Advertisement

But the Center for Biological Diversity is suing the DOE over the plan. The group's David Hogan says the designation violates the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Hogan : The Energy Department really broke so many laws in establishing the corridors that they are extremely vulnerable in court.

If the corridor designation becomes law, it would give a federal agency power to approve a project even if the project was rejected by state regulators. That would give San Diego Gas and Electric another option if the state turns down the Sunrise Powerlink proposal.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.