NORWICH – New York Regional Interconnect Inc. was not invited to tonight’s power line hearing in Orange County, so the “hot seat” may be substantially cooler than the searing posterior settlements created at earlier question and answer sessions regarding the $1.6 billion project.
Senator William Larkin (R-Cornwall-on-Hudson), the hearing’s sponsor, said he set up the meeting to only allow for straightforward answers, and that NYRI was not asked to attend.
“We only want people who can tell us who, what, when, where and why,” said Senator Larkin, in a phone interview with The Evening Sun. “We’re looking for information that our people can take home, understand, and make a sound judgment on.”
Joining Larkin on the panel will be Orange County Supervisors John Ward (Wallkill), Robert Jankowski (Hamptonburgh), and George Green (New Windsor). Invited speakers include the Communities Against Regional Interconnect Chairman Christopher Cunningham, representatives from the New York state Public Service Commission, and for the first time, a representative from the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Office of Permits.
CARI and STOP NYRI CO-chair Eve Ann Shwartz said she was especially encouraged that the DEC would be providing testimony and answering questions regarding environmental impact studies in reference to the 190 mile long, 1,200 megawatt line.
“That is a good sign,” Shwartz said. “I’m interested to hear their thoughts on this project.”
Prior to the hearing CARI will be meeting with its newly appointed legal staff from the Syracuse-based law firm of Gilberti, Stinziano, Heintz, and Smith, to discuss strategies and exchange any new regional information. The opposition group is made up of legislators, lawyers, planners, and grass roots organizers from all eight counties the power line would encroach from Marcy to New Windsor.
Chenango County CARI representative Donna M. Jones is optimistic the eight county assembly will be a very productive asset in the fight against the power transmission company’s proposal.
“I believe in strength in numbers,” Jones said. “I believe we can achieve our goal.”
Larkin’s hearing will start at 7 p.m., and is being held at the Temple Hill Academy on 525 Union Ave., New Windsor.
Legislation passed the state Senate and Assembly last month that would disable NYRI’s ability to take private property via eminent domain. The bill is currently awaiting approval from Governor George Pataki, a request for a time table on the Governors decision has not yet been returned.
NYRI announced March 30 that they were planning to site and construct a direct current transmission line from Oneida to Orange County that would alleviate energy “bottlenecks” in the southeastern part of the state. The company has since submitted various reports, including a study that states wholesale energy rates in Upstate New York will raise an average of five percent.
The company has filed its Article VII application with the New York state Public Service Commission, and in the next 12 to 18 months the commission will inventory expert testimony, evidence, and studies provided by both sides that will eventually decide the power line’s fate based on state law. However, the 2005 Federal Energy Policy Act has enabled the U.S. Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to have the ultimate say, that is if the 190 mile area in question is designated within a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor, which will be decided on after studies are complete in August.
CARI co-chair and Madison County Board Chairman Rocco DiVeronica hopes the government and area citizens understand what he believes to be a severe economic damper the line will cause. “It’s like building a thruway with no exits,” said DiVeronica. “How many people would use the thruway if it was like that?”