WASHINGTON (AP) - Environmental groups are suing the government
over a power line corridor through New York and seven other mid-Atlantic states.

The Department of Energy designated the mid-Atlantic power corridor and another in the Southwest last year to smooth the way for construction of new power lines.

Eleven environmental groups filed lawsuits against the Energy Department on Monday. They claim the agency violated environmental
laws by failing to study the impact the corridor designation would have on air quality, wildlife, habitat and other natural resources.

They asked the court to declare the corridor invalid. Julie Ruggiero, an Energy Department spokeswoman, said in a statement Monday that designation of the corridors "in and of itself has no environmental impact."

She said the designation identifies areas of the country that could experience interruptions in power supply. She said designation of corridors is critical because it encourages stakeholders to look at electricity generation from a regional and national perspective, identify solutions, and take action.

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