NORWICH – Legislation meant to put a permanent kink in power lines carrying a negative impact through other areas of New York state is awaiting its fate before Governor George Pataki, following its approval last Friday in both the state Senate and Assembly.

Bill S. 8349-A has been repeatedly referred to as a significant roadblock in Albany-based New York Regional Interconnect Inc.’s bid to run a direct current transmission line from Marcy down to New Windsor. But bill sponsors and <a href="http://www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI</a> opposition leaders say they are by no means free and clear of downstate-benefiting power line, or its 115-foot tall steel support quills waiting to protrude from the 200 miles of rolling countryside.

“We have a long way to go on this, and we’re going to continue to fight on several different fronts,” said Senator Tom Libous (R-Binghamton). “This bill is a major roadblock, but it is only one in what will be a series of roadblocks. Our focus needs to be on killing this project.” Libous said he and his colleagues who sponsored the bill will be hopefully visiting with the Governor this week, and he said his main focus at this time is getting Pataki to sign the bill into law.