WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri called on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Jon Wellinghoff last week to reject the request made by New York Regional Interconnection (NYRI) for a re-hearing of their power line proposal through Upstate New York.

“I promised my constituents from day one that I would remain vigilant to the tricks and underhanded attempts by NYRI to get their flawed power line project approved against the will of the people of Upstate New York,” Arcuri said, “I have not let down my guard and will fight to ensure that FERC continues to uphold their decision in this matter and make certain that the NYRI issue is dead once and for all.”

On April 29, NYRI requested a rehearing on FERC’s March 31 Order that essentially ended NYRI’s potential for a guaranteed rate of return of 13.5% for the life of its transmission project.  On April 3 2009, NYRI announced that it had withdrawn its proposal to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) in regards to the proposed power line.  NYRI cited the original ruling FERC handed down against the power line group as their reasoning behind their withdrawal.