The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requested public comments on issues relating to the identification, designation and possible mitigation of National Interest Electric Transmission Bottlenecks (NIETBs). The call for public input will help DOE fulfill recommendations from the President's National Energy Policy and the National Transmission Grid Study.

“By publicly identifying and designating National Interest Electric Transmission Bottlenecks, the Department of Energy seeks to help mitigate transmission bottlenecks that are a significant barrier to the efficient operation of regional electricity markets, threaten the safe and reliable operation of the electric system, or impair national security,” Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said.

DOE requested comments to assist in the development of procedures for identifying, designating and addressing NIETBs. Commenters are invited to focus on several key questions:

• What should be the criteria for designation of NIETBs?

• What should be the role of transmission grid operators, utilities, other market participants, regional entities, states, federal agencies, Native American tribes and others in the process of identifying, designating and addressing NIETBs?

• How might DOE identify bottlenecks in regions where much pertinent data are not available, in contrast to regions where transmission expansion plans have been developed and made public?

• What actions should DOE undertake to facilitate and monitor progress toward mitigation of designated NIETBs?

The full text of the Notice of Inquiry was published in the Federal Register on July 22 and is posted on the Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution's Web site, www.electricity.doe.gov/bottlenecks.