SHERBURNE – The New York Regional Interconnect power line is not a done deal – not even close – a group of area citizens and elected officials told a crowd of 70-plus anti-NYRI rally-goers in downtown Sherburne Saturday.
“It’s not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination,” said Stop NYRI co-chair Chris Rossi. “We’re in a good place with these guys (NYRI).” Rossi believes support at all levels of government has been, and will be, crucial.
Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of NYRI’s Article VII review application filing with the New York State Public Service Commission, the state’s power line authority. Stop NYRI organized a “Communities, Not Corridors” rally to demonstrate the continued local opposition that’s existed since the project was first announced.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” said Sherburne resident Gertrude Lathrop, referring the $1.6 billion dollar power line that, if approved, would cut through the historic village she resides in with her husband, Gene. “If we don’t do something we’ll be in tough shape,” Gene added as the two listened to anti-power line speakers in the park.
NYRI’s Article VII application was temporarily denied by the PSC in July because it lacked several required studies, including proof its project improved electricity reliability downstate, one of its main selling points. The company says it will be re-filing in early June.
Speaker Harry Conley, the Town of Sherburne supervisor, said he doesn’t understand how the power line, as it stands, could even be considered.
“I don’t know how anyone could be so greedy,” Conley said, “to force upon another human being what these monsters are trying to force upon us.”
The Lathrops are concerned that a power line of this magnitude – stretching 190 miles across upstate countryside carrying 1,200 megawatts of electricity downstate over 115 foot-tall steel towers – will drive away future generations from the area.
“Quite a few will leave,” Gertrude said. “Fewer will come in – our kids won’t come back.”
Despite not living directly in the path of the proposed high-voltage transmission facility, Smyrna resident David Raimy came out Saturday to show his support in fighting it.
“We (he and his wife Caroline) come to Sherburne a lot,” said Raimy. “We don’t want to see those big huge things all over.”
Raimy said there are better ways to solve downstate’s electricity problems, which power line officials claim their project can relieve.
“They should put their energy (facility) where they need it,” he said. “They haven’t even tried to conserve.”
Village of Sherburne Mayor Bill Acee told the crowd local efforts will have to be stepped up if NYRI’s line is to be prevented from unnecessarily scarring the Chenango River valley.
“We are fighting a powerful entity,” said Acee. “We need to re-double our efforts and continue the fight.”
According to Acee, the power line is strictly a profit-seeking investment, not a project aimed at improving the state’s energy infrastructure.
“It doesn’t make sense at any level,” Acee said, pointing out that a high voltage facility, the Marcy South line, already exists nearby and should be considered for an upgrade. “There are better solutions. It makes no sense to scar another valley with an unhealthy transmission line. Leave our valley alone.”
Speakers praised the work of freshman Congressman Michael Arcuri (D-Utica), who has jointly introduced federal legislation aimed at curbing NYRI. They also applauded Communities Against Regional Interconnect, the state and seven county-funded coalition fighting NYRI legally and technically.
“That is the reason we’ll win and send NYRI back to Canada,” said county Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Decker, referring to CARI. Decker pledged continued financial support from Chenango County, which has provided $100,000 for the cause so far.
Stop NYRI leaders Cindy Carter of Sherburne and Eve Ann Shwartz of Earlville also spoke, as did Lauren Corbin, the Town of Brookfield Supervisor from Madison County. Information packets, signs and visual demonstrations of the line’s impact were also provided.
The U.S. Department of Energy could announce finalized National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors – which allow Washington to overstep state’s rights in siting power lines – by the end of summer. Chenango County, along with the six others on NYRI’s route, were listed as part of a draft NIETC that was issued in April. Stop NYRI members will be traveling to New York City Wednesday to protest the designations at a DOE public hearing. Also in June, NYRI will be challenging a new state law in federal district court that blocks the company’s use of eminent domain to take private property.