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Greater Hamilton Contingent Voices Oppostion
To DOE Energy Corridor Plan at Hearing In NY City
To DOE Energy Corridor Plan at Hearing In NY City
Standing behind police department stanchions at Seventh Avenue and 57th Street in
New York City Wednesday, about 20 local residents demonstrated their opposition
to the federal Department of Energy's plans to create national interest electric
transmission corridors (NIETC) that would facilitate the building of a 200-mile-long
electric transmission line.
A number of Hamilton area residents testified at the hearing held in the Park
Central Hotel. Each filled their allotted two minutes with reasons why the corridors
and New York Regional Interconnect, Inc.'s proposed $1.6 billion project are bad
ideas.
Also testifying were members of other citizens groups opposed to the project and
the corridors, and numerous public officials including Patricia L. Acampora,
chairwoman of the New York State Public Service Commission. Acampora said that
the Department of Energy had not demonstrated that the designation of an NIETC
is warranted in New York state.
Hamilton's Dr. Michael Zahn testified Wednesday, telling DOE officials that he
hoped that NYRI's project receives a fair hearing on its merits, adding that if
properly reviewed, the project had no chance of being approved. Zahn also said that
approval of the project should remain with the state. He closed by paraphrasing the
colonial founders of the country saying, "No designation without representation."
Also testifying were Madison County Planning Director Paul Miller, STOP NYRI, Inc.
co-leader Eve Ann Shwartz, Debbie Zahn, Jesse Hoff, Kurt Reymers and Bill Griffith
(photo at right, second from the top) of the Fiver Foundation in Poolville.
While representatives of Congressmen Maurice Hinchey's and John Hall's offices
delivered testimony, no one was there on behalf of Gov. Elliot Spitzer.
After the hearings, many of those attending said that despite overwhelming
testimony in opposition to NIETC designation they expected it to be approved. The
DOE said it expects to make a ruling in the fall.
New York City Wednesday, about 20 local residents demonstrated their opposition
to the federal Department of Energy's plans to create national interest electric
transmission corridors (NIETC) that would facilitate the building of a 200-mile-long
electric transmission line.
A number of Hamilton area residents testified at the hearing held in the Park
Central Hotel. Each filled their allotted two minutes with reasons why the corridors
and New York Regional Interconnect, Inc.'s proposed $1.6 billion project are bad
ideas.
Also testifying were members of other citizens groups opposed to the project and
the corridors, and numerous public officials including Patricia L. Acampora,
chairwoman of the New York State Public Service Commission. Acampora said that
the Department of Energy had not demonstrated that the designation of an NIETC
is warranted in New York state.
Hamilton's Dr. Michael Zahn testified Wednesday, telling DOE officials that he
hoped that NYRI's project receives a fair hearing on its merits, adding that if
properly reviewed, the project had no chance of being approved. Zahn also said that
approval of the project should remain with the state. He closed by paraphrasing the
colonial founders of the country saying, "No designation without representation."
Also testifying were Madison County Planning Director Paul Miller, STOP NYRI, Inc.
co-leader Eve Ann Shwartz, Debbie Zahn, Jesse Hoff, Kurt Reymers and Bill Griffith
(photo at right, second from the top) of the Fiver Foundation in Poolville.
While representatives of Congressmen Maurice Hinchey's and John Hall's offices
delivered testimony, no one was there on behalf of Gov. Elliot Spitzer.
After the hearings, many of those attending said that despite overwhelming
testimony in opposition to NIETC designation they expected it to be approved. The
DOE said it expects to make a ruling in the fall.