GETTYSBURG, Pa. – In a story July 15, The Associated Press reported that federal regulators could order power lines built in two proposed “national interest” corridors in the Northeast and Southwest, if the corridors are approved by Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, regardless of state and local opposition.

The story should have specified the limits of federal power to order such construction. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can order transmission lines built across state or federal-owned land in the corridors only with the consent of the land managing agency. FERC can order such construction across privately owned land in the corridors, even if the land is protected by state law, but the agency must comply with any federal land protection statues.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)