State’s top grid operator: NYRI power line not needed
CHENANGO COUNTY – The federally-regulated agency that oversees the state’s electricity grid says New York Regional Interconnect Inc.’s $1.6 power line project isn’t needed to meet future energy demands.
In its 2007 “Comprehensive Reliability Plan,” the New York Independent System Operator – a non-profit corporation that manages the flow of wholesale energy – concludes there are a “more than sufficient” number of already-planned projects and solutions to “meet or exceed” the state’s electricity needs through 2016 without NYRI.
“It confirms what we’ve known along,” said Earlville resident and Stop NYRI co-chair Eve Ann Shwartz. “That NYRI’s project wasn’t about satisfying the energy needs of the state – it was about making a profit.”
NYRI is a Canadian-backed company proposing to construct at 190-mile long power line from Utica to New Windsor that would split 44 miles of Chenango County. Often citing previous NYISO reports calling for energy upgrades, company officials say the 400,000 volt line would relieve energy bottlenecks and prevent blackouts downstate by the year 2011.
However, according to the most recent NYISO report, NYRI’s project was listed as one of three “alternative regulated solutions” that “New York (state) need not implement.” It also did not include the project as a one of the alternate options if the current solutions fail.
NYRI officials did not return requests for comment this morning.
The NYISO findings do not prevent NYRI from seeking approval with the state’s the state’s Public Service Commission, the agency in charge of issuing power line permits, NYISO spokesman Ken Klapp said. NYRI’s first application to the PSC was ruled incomplete.
“This report is just a recommendation ... it’s our responsibility as the grid operator to look toward the future, making sure there are adequate resources available five and ten years down the road,” Klapp said. “That doesn’t mean they (NYRI) can’t continue with whatever their idea or solution may be.”
The PSC will assess NYRI’s proposal on whether or not it meets a public need. When asked if NYRI did satisfy a public need, Klapp replied, “As the plan stands now, no.”
NYRI opponents have questioned the company’s motives and fear the project, if approved, would devastate upstate communities for what they feel is a strictly for-profit venture.
Shwartz hopes the PSC will take the comprehensive reliability plan into consideration if NYRI re-files its permit application.
“We hope the PSC takes this information seriously,” she said. “If the grid operator doesn’t find it necessary, we don’t see how the PSC can see that there is a public need for it.”
PSC spokesman James Denn said the NYISO report “will be reviewed.”
Federal law could allow NYRI’s project to be reviewed in Washington if it is denied at the state level.
Under questioning, NYRI officials could not say whether the project was for private profit or public good.
The company has filed a lawsuit against the state regarding a law that prevents it from using eminent domain to take private property.
The NYISO is non-profit organization regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that operates the electricity grid and regulates the wholesale energy market. Its report was created and reviewed by a host of private and public sector energy experts.
In its 2007 “Comprehensive Reliability Plan,” the New York Independent System Operator – a non-profit corporation that manages the flow of wholesale energy – concludes there are a “more than sufficient” number of already-planned projects and solutions to “meet or exceed” the state’s electricity needs through 2016 without NYRI.
“It confirms what we’ve known along,” said Earlville resident and Stop NYRI co-chair Eve Ann Shwartz. “That NYRI’s project wasn’t about satisfying the energy needs of the state – it was about making a profit.”
NYRI is a Canadian-backed company proposing to construct at 190-mile long power line from Utica to New Windsor that would split 44 miles of Chenango County. Often citing previous NYISO reports calling for energy upgrades, company officials say the 400,000 volt line would relieve energy bottlenecks and prevent blackouts downstate by the year 2011.
However, according to the most recent NYISO report, NYRI’s project was listed as one of three “alternative regulated solutions” that “New York (state) need not implement.” It also did not include the project as a one of the alternate options if the current solutions fail.
NYRI officials did not return requests for comment this morning.
The NYISO findings do not prevent NYRI from seeking approval with the state’s the state’s Public Service Commission, the agency in charge of issuing power line permits, NYISO spokesman Ken Klapp said. NYRI’s first application to the PSC was ruled incomplete.
“This report is just a recommendation ... it’s our responsibility as the grid operator to look toward the future, making sure there are adequate resources available five and ten years down the road,” Klapp said. “That doesn’t mean they (NYRI) can’t continue with whatever their idea or solution may be.”
The PSC will assess NYRI’s proposal on whether or not it meets a public need. When asked if NYRI did satisfy a public need, Klapp replied, “As the plan stands now, no.”
NYRI opponents have questioned the company’s motives and fear the project, if approved, would devastate upstate communities for what they feel is a strictly for-profit venture.
Shwartz hopes the PSC will take the comprehensive reliability plan into consideration if NYRI re-files its permit application.
“We hope the PSC takes this information seriously,” she said. “If the grid operator doesn’t find it necessary, we don’t see how the PSC can see that there is a public need for it.”
PSC spokesman James Denn said the NYISO report “will be reviewed.”
Federal law could allow NYRI’s project to be reviewed in Washington if it is denied at the state level.
Under questioning, NYRI officials could not say whether the project was for private profit or public good.
The company has filed a lawsuit against the state regarding a law that prevents it from using eminent domain to take private property.
The NYISO is non-profit organization regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that operates the electricity grid and regulates the wholesale energy market. Its report was created and reviewed by a host of private and public sector energy experts.
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