SHERBURNE – Village of Sherburne residents say they stand to lose a great deal if New York Regional Inc.’s power line is constructed; that’s why they’re standing together.
The citizen’s group STOP NYRI is organizing a rally tomorrow afternoon in Gaines Park in downtown Sherburne, encouraging citizens from all communities fighting against NYRI’s transmission line to come show their support in united opposition.
“The goal of the rally is to show solidarity with the residents and businesses of Sherburne,” said Earlville resident Eve Ann Shwartz, the STOP NYRI CO-chair, “who will experience some of the greatest negative impact from the proposed power line which would run directly through this beautiful, historic village.”
NYRI is an Albany-based subsidiary company, with Canadian energy ties, looking to erect a 1,200 megawatt direct current transmission line from Oneida to Orange County. Officials from the company say that the project will relieve downstate energy constraints, benefiting all of New York state. In this area, the line would plant 115 foot steel support towers across 190 miles of upstate countryside, including 44 miles of Chenango County.
The rally will start at noon and last until 2 p.m., featuring speakers William Acee, the Mayor of Sherburne, Troy Bystrom, from Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, and Shwartz. There will also be a demonstration at the railroad tracks on state Route 80 to show the height of the towers as they would pass through the village.
“It is these citizens’ group efforts that have made our Representatives sit up, take notice, and take action,” Shwartz said. “We hope to see many new faces at the rally and we encourage anyone who wants to get involved to join with us in winning the battle to Stop the NYRI power lines.”
Since the project was announced in May, masses of citizens along the proposed route have voiced significant concerns over the line’s possible health, environmental, visual and economic impacts, that they say will devastate this area.
Organizers say the rally will be a chance to get caught up on general information regarding NYRI, the New York state Public Service Commission’s Article VII review process, federal and state legislation pertaining to this issue, and what citizens can do from home.
“We really hope folks will come and meet other people who are showing the same concerns,” said STOP NYRI member Christine Brunner, a Town of Norwich resident. “People just need to get together and take action to get a feel for the grassroots resistance.”
Brunner added that the rally will also be a chance for other town and citizens groups to coordinate their efforts and share any information that could be beneficial to everyone.
There will live music performances featuring local bands, along with a multitude of STOP NYRI merchandise for sale that will benefit the fundraising effort crucial to general operations of these grassroots organizations.
“I’m supporting the STOP NYRI folks because I want people to remain vigilant in their opposition to this power line,” said Mayor Acee. “We have to continue to fight the good fight.”