Feds announce NYRI bill
NORWICH – Federal legislators say they’re introducing a bill in Washington on Monday that they’re hoping can stop the $1.6 billion New York Regional Interconnection Inc. power line project.
Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s (D-NY) press office said the bill is an effort “to stop the NYRI power line proposal from moving forward,” in a Feb. 2 release.
It’s expected that Hinchey and 24th District Congressman Michael Arcuri (D-Utica) will unveil the specifics of the legislation at separate press conferences Monday in Monticello and Utica. Arcuri had originally scheduled a public meeting in Norwich at 1 p.m. at the City of Norwich Fire Department, but canceled later in the morning due to inclement weather, an Arcuri staff member confirmed at 10:30 a.m.
“I think it’s great,” said Norwich resident and NYRI opponent Perry Owen. “The next move should be to persuade senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer to get involved.”
Earlville resident and STOP NYRI co-chair Eve Ann Shwartz said although the specifics of the bill haven’t been divulged, the move is a promising sign that the power line issue, and U.S. energy policy as a whole, are important priorities at the federal level.
“It’s great news,” said Shwartz. “They promised it would be a top issue before the election – now they’re acting on it.”
Hinchey and Arcuri’s announcement comes just four days after NYRI filed a lawsuit in Albany federal district court challenging a recent state law that blocks the company’s ability to use eminent domain to secure private property.
NYRI did not provide comment on the federal bill by press time Monday morning.
Both Owen and Shwartz said gaining support for the bill in both the house and senate will be the next step.
“If we could get those two (Clinton and Schumer) on board, that would go a long way in creating another stumbling block for NYRI,” Owen said. “It would send a powerful message to the (U.S.) Department of Energy.”
Owen is referring to the DOE’s authority under the 2005 Energy Policy Act that allows that agency to designate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, potentially putting certain areas like southern New York state under federal jurisdiction for approving or denying power line projects. If designated a corridor, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could supplant or overturn a decision by the New York state Public Service Commission regarding the NYRI power line.
“They (Hinchey and Arcuri) are stepping up to the plate and showing some leadership,” Shwartz said. “They’re protecting us from NYRI and companies like NYRI.”
NYRI is an Albany-based Company proposing to build a 200-mile long power line from Oneida to Orange County, cutting through 44 miles of Chenango. Company officials say the line will relieve energy constraints downstate.
Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s (D-NY) press office said the bill is an effort “to stop the NYRI power line proposal from moving forward,” in a Feb. 2 release.
It’s expected that Hinchey and 24th District Congressman Michael Arcuri (D-Utica) will unveil the specifics of the legislation at separate press conferences Monday in Monticello and Utica. Arcuri had originally scheduled a public meeting in Norwich at 1 p.m. at the City of Norwich Fire Department, but canceled later in the morning due to inclement weather, an Arcuri staff member confirmed at 10:30 a.m.
“I think it’s great,” said Norwich resident and NYRI opponent Perry Owen. “The next move should be to persuade senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer to get involved.”
Earlville resident and STOP NYRI co-chair Eve Ann Shwartz said although the specifics of the bill haven’t been divulged, the move is a promising sign that the power line issue, and U.S. energy policy as a whole, are important priorities at the federal level.
“It’s great news,” said Shwartz. “They promised it would be a top issue before the election – now they’re acting on it.”
Hinchey and Arcuri’s announcement comes just four days after NYRI filed a lawsuit in Albany federal district court challenging a recent state law that blocks the company’s ability to use eminent domain to secure private property.
NYRI did not provide comment on the federal bill by press time Monday morning.
Both Owen and Shwartz said gaining support for the bill in both the house and senate will be the next step.
“If we could get those two (Clinton and Schumer) on board, that would go a long way in creating another stumbling block for NYRI,” Owen said. “It would send a powerful message to the (U.S.) Department of Energy.”
Owen is referring to the DOE’s authority under the 2005 Energy Policy Act that allows that agency to designate National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, potentially putting certain areas like southern New York state under federal jurisdiction for approving or denying power line projects. If designated a corridor, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could supplant or overturn a decision by the New York state Public Service Commission regarding the NYRI power line.
“They (Hinchey and Arcuri) are stepping up to the plate and showing some leadership,” Shwartz said. “They’re protecting us from NYRI and companies like NYRI.”
NYRI is an Albany-based Company proposing to build a 200-mile long power line from Oneida to Orange County, cutting through 44 miles of Chenango. Company officials say the line will relieve energy constraints downstate.
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