Name
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Office
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View of 400-KV Line
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Sen. Charles Schumer
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US Senator
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Sen. Schumer has called on NYRI officials to answer
a number of questions and also to hold more
informational meetings
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Sen. Hillary Clinton
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US Senator
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Sen. Clinton wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission asking it to hold meetings in
communities along the proposed power line route.
Opposes federal designation as NIETC.
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Rep. John McHugh
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Congressman
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"I am adamantly opposed" and he said NYRI
deserves no special treatment from federal
department of Energy
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Rep. Sherwood Boehlert
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Congressman
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As reported by the Utica Observer Dispatch, Boehlert
said, “...I am doubtful that NYRI’s plan is the proper
course of action, particularly since they have failed to
provide the public with basic, necessary information.”
Most recently called it a "cockamamie scheme".
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Michael Arcuri
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Candidate for Boehlert's
seat
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“I stand with the people of the 24th district to oppose
this proposed power line. Although NYRI promised
economic, environmental, and reliability benefits, the
company has not yet engaged with the public on
these matters, even during public meetings. There
are a lot of questions that remain unanswered and I
urge the Public Service Commission not to approve
this project.”
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Gov. George Pataki
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Governor
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A spokesman said the Governor would not make any
comment until there is a PSC Article VII filing, which it
did May 31. This from the Utica Observer Dispatch of
June 4: "A spokesman for Pataki said the governor
hadn't had the chance to review the power line
question thoroughly, but he would likely have a
position in the future."
In a recent speech on the need for a national energy
policy, Pataki told the National Press Club that New
York State needed more tranmssion lines.
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Attorney General Elliot Spitzer
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Attorney General and
Democrat Candidate for
Governor
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This from the Syracuse Post-Standard of Aug. 19,
2006:
During a brief question-and-answer period, Spitzer
said that as attorney general he had called for
improvements in the state's power distribution system.
"That doesn't mean New York Regional Interconnect
is a good idea," he said.
In fact, Spitzer said the project to carry
electricity from Upstate to Downstate isn't going
to happen because there is too much local
opposition.
"Let's find an alternative," he said.
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John Faso
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Republican Candidate for
Governor
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At a meeting in Clayville Aug. 8 Faso said he is totally
opposed to the project and favors generation closer
to the source of energy consumption.
This from the June 4 Utica Observer Dispatch: "I
would certainly try to discuss with them and make
sure that any such transmission proposal was
compatible with community interest and our overall
needs for energy distribution. Faso also said he
believes there is a need for more energy generation
downstate."
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Sen. Joseph Bruno
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NYS Senate Majority
Leader
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"... it is my strong belief that the power line plan
should not go forward."
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Sen. Dave Valesky
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State Senator
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Spokesman May 19 said the senator opposes the
project.
“…grown increasingly skeptical and concerned about
New York Regional Interconnect’s plan to build a high
voltage power line connecting Oneida County to
Orange County.”
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Sen. Ray Meier
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State Senator
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"We need to put them in a forum that they can't script
and can't control if we're ever going to get straight
answers. We want to ask direct questions and get
direct answers."
"It's property values, the environmental concerns,
"but the real issue is …you're going to draw power
out of the power pool we use and drive prices up
here."
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Assemblyman Bill Magee
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State Assemblyman
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Magee wrote in a letter to PSC Chairman William
Flynn that NYRI's proposal would "essentially rape
the landscape and viewshed of Upstate New York.
While I understand the need for additional power in
the Downstate area, I have great apprehension
about the placement of these power towers through
so many environmentally sensitive, historically
significant and agriculturally oriented areas."
"I don’t see where there’s any benefit to the people I
represent, so why should I be for it?"
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Assemblywoman Roann Destito
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State Assemblywoman
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Strongly opposed and has brought an Assembly
Energy Committee hearing to Marcy for Aug. 23.
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Rocky DiVeronia
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Chairman Madison
County Board of
Supervisors
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Has become one of the most vocal county leaders
opposing NYRI and is a leader of the Communities
Against Regional Interconnect (CARI).
“I am totally opposed to this project.”
Lead Madison County Board of Supervisors in recent
vote against the project.
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Walt Jaquay
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Hamilton Town Supervisor
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"There is a not a member of the town board who is
for this project." Comment just before board
unanimously approved a moratorium resolution
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Loren Corbin
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Brookfield Town
Supervisor
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Adamantly oppossed
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Jim Golstein
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Lebanon Town Supervisor
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Adamantly opposed; his board passed a resolution of
opposition to the project and solidarity with towns of
Hamilton and Brookfield
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Jim Walter, executive director
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Madison County Tourism
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“Madison County Tourism, Inc. does not plan to take
a stand for or against the power line that is proposed
to cut across Hamilton and Brookfield. It would have
little effect on the tourism economy good or bad.
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Tim Julian
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Mayor of Utica
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Led a walk-out of audience members at NYRI
meeting in Utica May 9. On Friday, he said he's
asked state and federal officials to block New York
Regional Interconnect from starting the 200-mile
project. City of Utica June 29 initiated a lawsuit
against the railroad saying it did not legally execute
its contract with NYRI for development rights.
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Joe Griffo
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Oneida County Executive
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He has written state and federal officials opposing
the plan. Although he held out a willingness to
discuss the project once all the facts are laid on the
table for all people impacted by the project to review,
Griffo said until there are satisfactory answers, he
cannot support the project.
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Dave Hall
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President, CEO of
Chenango County
Chamber of Commerce
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One of the leaders of opposition in Chenango
County.
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