WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy announced Tuesday that it will re-open the debate on a controversial energy policy that could fast-track power line projects like NYRI in areas the feds have deemed as “critically” in need of electricity.
The policy, which created two “National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors” where the department claims more power lines are needed, went into effect in October and will remain on the books while critics again voice their opposition to the designations.
Most of New York state, and all of Chenango County, are included as part of the “critical” energy congestion areas, which cover a total of 10 states on the east and west coast.
Chenango is also home to 44 miles of New York Regional Interconnect’s proposed 190-mile-long power line project. If approved at the state or federal level, the line would deliver power from Utica through eight counties to the New York City area. The company claims it would relieve congestion, although several recent reports have stated the line isn’t needed and that it has not proven it would relieve energy constraints downstate.
Currently, under the corridor policy, the federal government could approve NYRI if the state denies the project.
DOE officials would not comment on what possible impact the rehearings will have or how long they will take.
“Last month, various parties requested that the department review this designation,” said DOE spokeswoman Julie Ruggiero Tuesday. “In order to give these requests full consideration, DOE will take additional time to thoroughly evaluate the basis of their requests.”
The highest levels of state government, including Gov. Eliot Spitzer, have asked the DOE for the rehearings. A host of anti-NYRI opponents and environmental groups have also asked for the re-do, claiming New York and other corridor states did not have a fair say in the overall process.
“We think the DOE got it wrong,” said John Klucsik, an attorney for Communities Against Regional Interconnect, a coalition of power line opponents made of representatives from affected communities and local governments.
Kluscik said he’s not “overly optimistic” the policy will change as a result of the rehearings, and had requested on behalf of CARI that the corridor status be stalled while the rehearings took place. Kluscik plans to continue re-submit that request.
U.S. Congressman Michael Arcuri, who represents Chenango County in the 24th District, offered comment on the DOE’s decision to grant the rehearings on the “Mid-Atlantic” and “Southwest” corridors.
“I continue to oppose the Department of Energy’s corridor designation, which would usurp New York State’s authority to approve or deny transmission projects in 47 of New York’s 62 counties,” said Arcuri. “This announcement will allow us a new opportunity to challenge the DOE’s corridor designations – which were announced without adequate input from local communities and in spite of the opposition of the very people most affected by proposed power lines.”