The Final Programmatic EIS (Final PEIS) was released today for the West-Wide Energy Corridor, which would designate over 6,000 miles for energy transportation corridors in 11 western states, including Arizona.
The proposed corridors are intended for siting oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines, and electrical transmission and distribution facilities on Federal lands.
One of the controversial aspects of this proposal is the potential federal override on siting decisions, which traditionally are viewed as the state's prerogatives. The argument is that the nation's energy infrastructure is too critical to be sidetracked by local objections.
Two public hearings are set to be held in Arizona:
January 15, 2008, 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m., Phoenix, AZ: BLM Training Center, 9828 North 31st Avenue
January 23, 2008, 2 to 5 p.m., Window Rock, AZ: Navajo Education Center, Morgan Boulevard.