UTICA – One of the administrative law judges assigned to review the proposed 190-mile electric transmission line project suggested Monday that the number of public statement hearings held during the process could be limited by state budget cuts.
The Hon. Jeffrey E. Stockholm, who has been tasked with reviewing the New York Regional Interconnect application with fellow Administrative Law Judge Michelle L. Phillips, made the statement at the conclusion of a prehearing conference held Monday in Utica.
Two information forums/public statement hearings are already planned in October: One at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica and the other at the State University of New York campus in Oneonta. The Public Service Commission is currently looking for a possible third location near the southern end of the proposed power line.
When Phillips asked for suggestions for this third location, John Kluscik, representing Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI), called for additional public hearings to be scheduled in each of the counties along the proposed route. CARI represents seven counties and five public interest groups along the corridor, including Chenango County and Stop NYRI.
Kluscik said it was “extremely important” to provide the public with easily accessible information and an adequate opportunity to participate in the hearing process.
Sherburne resident Cindy Carter spoke up in support of Kluscik’s proposal. “It’s important for community members to have access,” said Carter, who is on the active party list as an individual as well as a member of Stop NYRI.
Her comments were echoed by Norwich resident Christine Brunner, who also applauded the decision to include evening hours for the hearings already scheduled. “I hope that will continue,” said Brunner.
The administrative law judges did not rule out Kluscik’s proposal. Instead, they requested the CARI representative provide a list of counties with potential locations that could accommodate at least 200 people.
Later in the meeting, Stockholm explained that they, along with the rest of the state government, are under the governor’s edict to cut expenses. According to the judge, the budget crunch may limit their ability to honor the request, but gave some hope by adding that “people expressing their feelings to their representatives” might make the additional public statement hearings possible.
The location of the proceeding’s evidentiary hearing could also be a factor in whether or not these additional public forums take place, said Stockholm. According to Phillips, a ruling will be issued next week establishing the time and location of the hearing, but Albany seems the most likely venue. Holding the proceedings in the state capital would be a cost savings and could help the judges meet CARI’s request.
The purpose of Monday’s pre-hearing conference, held at Mohawk Valley Community College, was to establish a timeline for the year-long review process. While the process is not under a direct 12-month time limit under state law, Stockholm said it is necessary in order to retain New York’s right to determine whether or not the project is approved and where it goes if approved. “We run the risk of being pre-empted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,” said Stockholm.
To help meet the timeline, Stockholm suggested NYRI and the active parties meet outside of the hearing framework. “I always encourage parties to sit down to see if they can narrow their differences in any way,” informed Stockholm.
According to Leonard Singer, NYRI’s legal counsel, there is an opportunity for partial settlements and stipulations to be determined by both formal and informal negotiations.
Village of Sherburne Mayor Bill Acee attended the conference. “I was disappointed to hear the administrative law judges say that the process may be compromised by the budget crunch in Albany,” said Acee. “I hope this issue gets the attention it deserves.”
The village is in a unique position, as it is the only municipality on the proposed route that could see itself essentially divided in two by the direct current transmission line.
“I don’t want to see my community bisected by this power line,” said Acee. “It’s time to put our game faces on and fight against this line.”
The mayor hopes that a Stop NYRI fundraiser planned for this weekend will help “refocus everyone back on the issue.”
“We’re encouraging people to come in large numbers,” said Carter of the event. The fundraiser, which will include several musical performances, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Sherburne’s Gaines Park.
Money raised during the fundraiser will support the organization’s efforts in fighting the proposed power line. One of these efforts is a letter writing campaign. According to Christine Brunner of Norwich, 325 letters were written to legislators at Stop NYRI’s Chenango County Fair booth last month.
Copies of NYRI’s article VII application are available for review at public libraries along the proposed route, including those in Earlville, Sherburne, Norwich, Oxford, Afton, Bainbridge and New Berlin. Information on public information sessions and statement hearings will be forthcoming.