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Nine Federal Agencies Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Transmission Siting on Federal Lands

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and eight other federal agencies have developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding siting of transmission lines on federal lands. The primary purpose of the MOU is to establish a protocol among land managing agencies regarding the designation of lead agency status when multiple agencies are involved in a project. Its execution evidences a commitment by the federal government to overcome barriers to siting needed transmission lines.

This MOU marks a significant effort by the Administration to promote expansion of the transmission grid using its existing authority over federal lands, while fully maintaining all existing environmental reviews and safeguards. The MOU is expected to speed the approval of new lines, help access renewable energy like solar and wind, and jumpstart job creation. The MOU commits the ACHP to working cooperatively with participating agencies to ensure that these projects are fully considered under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act without unnecessary delay. The ACHP looks forward to working with these agencies and state and tribal partners to ensure that historic preservation values are integrated into decisions about our nation's electrical transmission system.

Read the MOU. Read the press release.

Posted October 29, 2009

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