Senate holds NYRI's feet to fire at New Hartford hearing tonight
NORWICH – Some politicians are hoping that citizens further up the line will create more energy against New York Regional Interconnect Inc. tonight, thus proving the grassroots grid of communities is already reliable, and powerful.
For the second time in a just over a month, the state Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee will be holding a hearing regarding NYRI’s power line project. The hearing, sponsored by Senators James Seward (R-Milford), Raymond Meier (R-Western) and energy committee Chair James Wright (R-Watertown), is taking place at 6 p.m. tonight at New Hartford High School, 45 miles north of its June 15 predecessor in Norwich.
“I would like to see this second hearing build on the momentum I think was developed at the first public hearing in Norwich,” Senator Seward said.
At the first forum, NYRI officials supplied minimal answers to a barrage of questions and allegations aimed at discovering the group’s corporate structure and unraveling the validity of its project.
“I’d like to further explore the fact that NYRI as a transmission company has not investigated other alternatives to meet the energy needs downstate,” Seward said. “They only want this power line in this corridor, that’s it.”
NYRI spokesman Jonathan Pierce confirmed that representatives from the private transmission subsidiary would be on hand again tonight.
“We’re going to continue to put the pressure on them,” said Senator Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton), who could not attend tonight’s hearing because of ongoing commitments to resolve the recent flood damage in his district. “Our main goal is to kill this project – we are not going to forget about this power line.”
Albany-based NYRI is proposing to run a 190 mile-long, 1,200 megawatt direct current transmission line from Marcy down to New Windsor. The line would be supported by 115 foot tall steel poles spread out in increments of roughly 700 to 800 feet. The line would affect eight upstate counties, including six towns and 44 miles of Chenango.
“I would like them to testify under oath,” said Chenango County Planning Director Donna M. Jones, who represents the county within Communities Against Regional Interconnect, a blend of government and grassroots opposition leaders against NYRI. “They haven’t been upfront this process.” Jones specifically questioned NYRI’s Article VII application to the New York State Public Service Commission, and some of the evidence they supplied with that application. She pointed to photographs the company took to display development along the route that she believes grossly misrepresent the identity of this area.
City of Utica Mayor Timothy Julian also wished to have NYRI officials put under oath.
“It would be a chance to catch them in an onslaught of questioning,” Julian said, “and make these folks a lot uncomfortable.”
Legislation that could block NYRI’s ability to use eminent domain is currently awaiting its fate with Governor George Pataki.
The project is currently in the early stages of the PSC’s Article VII review process under New York state public service law. In the coming months, a law judge appointed by the commission will decide if the power line is viable to be sited, permitted, constructed and operated in New York.
Federal involvement under the 2005 Energy Policy Act could come into play if the PSC denies the project.
For the second time in a just over a month, the state Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee will be holding a hearing regarding NYRI’s power line project. The hearing, sponsored by Senators James Seward (R-Milford), Raymond Meier (R-Western) and energy committee Chair James Wright (R-Watertown), is taking place at 6 p.m. tonight at New Hartford High School, 45 miles north of its June 15 predecessor in Norwich.
“I would like to see this second hearing build on the momentum I think was developed at the first public hearing in Norwich,” Senator Seward said.
At the first forum, NYRI officials supplied minimal answers to a barrage of questions and allegations aimed at discovering the group’s corporate structure and unraveling the validity of its project.
“I’d like to further explore the fact that NYRI as a transmission company has not investigated other alternatives to meet the energy needs downstate,” Seward said. “They only want this power line in this corridor, that’s it.”
NYRI spokesman Jonathan Pierce confirmed that representatives from the private transmission subsidiary would be on hand again tonight.
“We’re going to continue to put the pressure on them,” said Senator Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton), who could not attend tonight’s hearing because of ongoing commitments to resolve the recent flood damage in his district. “Our main goal is to kill this project – we are not going to forget about this power line.”
Albany-based NYRI is proposing to run a 190 mile-long, 1,200 megawatt direct current transmission line from Marcy down to New Windsor. The line would be supported by 115 foot tall steel poles spread out in increments of roughly 700 to 800 feet. The line would affect eight upstate counties, including six towns and 44 miles of Chenango.
“I would like them to testify under oath,” said Chenango County Planning Director Donna M. Jones, who represents the county within Communities Against Regional Interconnect, a blend of government and grassroots opposition leaders against NYRI. “They haven’t been upfront this process.” Jones specifically questioned NYRI’s Article VII application to the New York State Public Service Commission, and some of the evidence they supplied with that application. She pointed to photographs the company took to display development along the route that she believes grossly misrepresent the identity of this area.
City of Utica Mayor Timothy Julian also wished to have NYRI officials put under oath.
“It would be a chance to catch them in an onslaught of questioning,” Julian said, “and make these folks a lot uncomfortable.”
Legislation that could block NYRI’s ability to use eminent domain is currently awaiting its fate with Governor George Pataki.
The project is currently in the early stages of the PSC’s Article VII review process under New York state public service law. In the coming months, a law judge appointed by the commission will decide if the power line is viable to be sited, permitted, constructed and operated in New York.
Federal involvement under the 2005 Energy Policy Act could come into play if the PSC denies the project.
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