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Federal legislation pointedly named the
“Protecting Communities from Power Line
Abuse Act” introduced in the House of
Representatives today would, if passed, become a
significant hurdle for New York Regional
Interconnect, Inc.’s (NYRI) proposed $1.6 billion
electric transmission line that would cut through
the towns of Brookfield and Hamilton, as well as
bisect the Village of Sherburne.
It and other legislation was introduced today by
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Sugerties) and
cosponsored by Rep. Mike Arcuri (D-Utica) and
Rep. John Hall of (D-Dover Plains) in two
separate press conferences. The bills, in
summary, would rewrite portions of the Federal
Energy Policy Act of 2005 that outline how
National Interest Electric Transmission
Corridors (NIETC) are designated, especially the
use of eminent domain.
Chris Rossi, co-leader of STOP NYRI, Inc. the
local citizens group opposing the proposed
power line, spoke at the press conferecne. She
thanked the elected officials and added that she
and others are "relieved and delighted to see this
commitment and action post-election." Rossi said
STOP NYRI, Inc. is committed to working
with them "to see this through to the end."
Rossi also thanked Arcui and others for their
roles in having New York State "take leadership
on working on setting right an item of national
importance -- the 2005 energy act."
Speaking for NYRI, Leonard Singer, a partner in
Albany law firm of Couch and White, said the
proposed legislation would be “harmful" to New
York State's economy and to the state's energy
future.
“Those of us introducing these bills recognize we
need to act quickly in order to stop the federal
government from overruling state and local
objections to NYRI's project," Hinchey said.
"That's why we're introducing legislation today
and will be putting on a heavy press to move
forward these bills and protect the quality of life
for area residents.”
One of Hinchey’s bills would repeal the portion
of the Energy Policy Act that allows the
Department of Energy to designate NIETCs or
grant permits for projects in those corridors.
Hinchey’s other bill would eliminate the ability of
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) to grant permission to companies like
NYRI to use federal eminent domain authority.
A statement from Hinchey’s office said that bill
would make it difficult, and “probably
impossible”, for the NYRI project to proceed if
the New York State Public Service Commission
(PSC) denies a permit. Even though FERC could
grant a permit for NYRI’s proposed project, the
Canadian-owned company could not use federal
power to take private lands from owners who
did not wish to sell.
"The opposition by New York residents to
NYRI's power line proposal is overwhelming,”
said Hinchey at a press conference in Monticello.
“ No one wants massive towers and power lines
cutting through the Upper Delaware Scenic
River Valley or their backyard for that matter.
These bills would prevent the federal
government from stepping in on behalf of NYRI
and forcing New York residents to live with this
power line project. The federal government
should be in the business of protecting the
interests of the people of New York and the
entire country, not just helping power companies
make huge profits."
“Today is a turning point in the fight against
NYRI. I'm glad to be here with this bipartisan
group of elected officials, to announce the
actions we in Congress are taking to insure that
NYRI does not run roughshod over the
communities and property owners who would
be affected by this poorly planned and ill
conceived proposal,” said Arcuri at a press
briefing in Utica. “I have worked together with
Representatives Hinchey and Hall to come up
with the best possible way to keep this power
line from damaging our communities.
“This is an issue that is close to me on a personal
level. The proposal NYRI has designated as their
primary route runs just a couple hundred yards
from my home in South Utica. But that's not
the only reason I support the effort to fight this
project - this power line, at the admission of its
own backers, will raise energy costs for the very
Upstate communities that would be devastated
by the construction and towers."
A third bill, introduced by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-
VA) ensures that areas which are recognized for
their scenic, natural, cultural, or historic values
are protected from electric corridors. Wolf’s bill
helps ensure that local and state authorities have
control over the outcome and also allows for
greater public input.
A project similar to NYRI’s 200-mile-long
transmission line is proposed for part of Virginia.
Posted 2006.2.5
“Protecting Communities from Power Line
Abuse Act” introduced in the House of
Representatives today would, if passed, become a
significant hurdle for New York Regional
Interconnect, Inc.’s (NYRI) proposed $1.6 billion
electric transmission line that would cut through
the towns of Brookfield and Hamilton, as well as
bisect the Village of Sherburne.
It and other legislation was introduced today by
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Sugerties) and
cosponsored by Rep. Mike Arcuri (D-Utica) and
Rep. John Hall of (D-Dover Plains) in two
separate press conferences. The bills, in
summary, would rewrite portions of the Federal
Energy Policy Act of 2005 that outline how
National Interest Electric Transmission
Corridors (NIETC) are designated, especially the
use of eminent domain.
Chris Rossi, co-leader of STOP NYRI, Inc. the
local citizens group opposing the proposed
power line, spoke at the press conferecne. She
thanked the elected officials and added that she
and others are "relieved and delighted to see this
commitment and action post-election." Rossi said
STOP NYRI, Inc. is committed to working
with them "to see this through to the end."
Rossi also thanked Arcui and others for their
roles in having New York State "take leadership
on working on setting right an item of national
importance -- the 2005 energy act."
Speaking for NYRI, Leonard Singer, a partner in
Albany law firm of Couch and White, said the
proposed legislation would be “harmful" to New
York State's economy and to the state's energy
future.
“Those of us introducing these bills recognize we
need to act quickly in order to stop the federal
government from overruling state and local
objections to NYRI's project," Hinchey said.
"That's why we're introducing legislation today
and will be putting on a heavy press to move
forward these bills and protect the quality of life
for area residents.”
One of Hinchey’s bills would repeal the portion
of the Energy Policy Act that allows the
Department of Energy to designate NIETCs or
grant permits for projects in those corridors.
Hinchey’s other bill would eliminate the ability of
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) to grant permission to companies like
NYRI to use federal eminent domain authority.
A statement from Hinchey’s office said that bill
would make it difficult, and “probably
impossible”, for the NYRI project to proceed if
the New York State Public Service Commission
(PSC) denies a permit. Even though FERC could
grant a permit for NYRI’s proposed project, the
Canadian-owned company could not use federal
power to take private lands from owners who
did not wish to sell.
"The opposition by New York residents to
NYRI's power line proposal is overwhelming,”
said Hinchey at a press conference in Monticello.
“ No one wants massive towers and power lines
cutting through the Upper Delaware Scenic
River Valley or their backyard for that matter.
These bills would prevent the federal
government from stepping in on behalf of NYRI
and forcing New York residents to live with this
power line project. The federal government
should be in the business of protecting the
interests of the people of New York and the
entire country, not just helping power companies
make huge profits."
“Today is a turning point in the fight against
NYRI. I'm glad to be here with this bipartisan
group of elected officials, to announce the
actions we in Congress are taking to insure that
NYRI does not run roughshod over the
communities and property owners who would
be affected by this poorly planned and ill
conceived proposal,” said Arcuri at a press
briefing in Utica. “I have worked together with
Representatives Hinchey and Hall to come up
with the best possible way to keep this power
line from damaging our communities.
“This is an issue that is close to me on a personal
level. The proposal NYRI has designated as their
primary route runs just a couple hundred yards
from my home in South Utica. But that's not
the only reason I support the effort to fight this
project - this power line, at the admission of its
own backers, will raise energy costs for the very
Upstate communities that would be devastated
by the construction and towers."
A third bill, introduced by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-
VA) ensures that areas which are recognized for
their scenic, natural, cultural, or historic values
are protected from electric corridors. Wolf’s bill
helps ensure that local and state authorities have
control over the outcome and also allows for
greater public input.
A project similar to NYRI’s 200-mile-long
transmission line is proposed for part of Virginia.
Posted 2006.2.5
Congressmen at Both Ends of Route Offer Anti-NYRI Legislation
A delegation from STOP NYRI, Inc.
attended the press conference in Utica
Monday.
attended the press conference in Utica
Monday.
Congressman Mike Arcuri and other
elected officials at the announcement of
anti-NYRI legislation.
elected officials at the announcement of
anti-NYRI legislation.
Hayden Zahn, left, present Congressman
Mike Arcui with a "Stop NYRI" button.
Mike Arcui with a "Stop NYRI" button.
| Photos by Debbie Zahn |