1. Procedure prior to the construction of an overhead line

1.1 Impact study

The procedure prior to the construction of an overhead line consists of studying, under the supervision of the administrative authorities, the environmental parameters likely to be affected by the construction of a line.

The impact study begins with EDF sending an economic justification file for the planned line, together with a proposed study area, to the DIGEC (the French Ministry of Industry's Gas, Electricity and Coal Department) for very-high-voltage (VHV) lines, and to the DRIRE (the French Regional Department for Industry, Research and the Environment) for high-voltage lines.

If the project is accepted, an initial consultation is launched under the aegis of the prefect, in the presence of elected representatives,...