NORWICH – Some opponents of the NYRI power line are hoping another changing-of-the-guard in Albany will help redirect policies – and attitudes – towards more progressive solutions to the state’s energy problems.
William Flynn, the chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission, announced his resignation on Monday, effective today. Since January 2003, Flynn held the top spot at the state agency charged with regulating energy and telecommunications, which includes authority over power line permitting and siting. According to an official with the PSC, a replacement has not yet been named.
“We hope that the new appointee, whoever he or she is, will look beyond the application,” said Paul Miller, a chairman for the power line opposition alliance known as “Communities Against Regional Interconnect,” referring to the New York Regional Interconnection project and the PSC’s Article VII power line review application. “They need to take a closer look at the actual energy policy and needs for the state. The NYRI power line is not the solution to the problem.”
In March, New York Regional Interconnect Inc. announced plans to construct a 400,000 volt direct current transmission line from Oneida to Orange County, spanning 200 miles in an effort to relieve energy constraints downstate. NYRI officials have acknowledged that the line’s electricity would not be available for its host communities, and that it would in fact raise energy rates upstate. If constructed, it would cut through six townships in Chenango County.
“We ignored the state’s energy problems that have existed for a long time,” said Miller, who is also the assistant planning director for Madison County. “Demand reduction, conservation and generation development will go a long ways to solving the problem.” Miller explained that the state’s power plants are aging and inefficient, and are part of the reason for downstate’s inability to get affordable and reliable energy. He also argues that the state cannot rely on lengthy power lines today in order to ensure energy reliability for the future, because the constraint problems aren’t expected until 8 to 10 years from now, according to data from the state’s Independent Systems Operator. “The problems this project purports to resolve don’t exist yet,” he said.
PSC Public Affairs Director Gary Davidson said the chairman’s resignation shouldn’t affect pending cases, including NYRI’s, and that procedures as a whole will remain the same.
“Matters already before the commission will continue with the same proceedings they have been,” said Davidson. “A chairperson could have priority areas they may want to put special emphasis on.”
Donna M. Jones, the Chenango County Planning Director and representative on CARI, hopes that the state’s best interests, and not political affiliations, will guide whatever direction the PSC will head in.
“This gives Pataki the opportunity to put in another one of his people at the end of his term, for much longer than Flynn’s intended term,” Jones said. “It would be nice if he didn’t appoint somebody, and let Spitzer make his own choice. I hope whoever that choice is won’t let politics affect their judgment when reviewing an application.”
Flynn, whose term doesn’t expire until February 2009, was appointed by Governor George Pataki in 2003. Based on reports by the Associated Press, it is unclear if Pataki will appoint the new chair, or if he will allow Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer to decide.
According to the Harris Beach law firm, Flynn is reportedly going to head-up its Albany office and lead the firm’s Energy and Telecommunications practice. The lobbying firm Rappleyea Public Affairs Group, established by Clarence Rappleyea, the former state Assembly Minority speaker (R-New Berlin) and head of the New York State Power Authority, is an affiliate of Harris Beach, which has offices located across the state.