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Counties unite to fight power line
By Brendan Scott
June 1, 2006
 Times Herald-Record

Even as state regulators get their first peek at plans to build a mammoth power line across much of New York, affected counties are rallying to fight the plan.

In a rare showing of upstate solidarity, officials from eight counties that would host the proposed 1,200-megawatt electric transmission line, including Orange and Sullivan, are meeting in Norwich today to map a strategy to change or outright block the proposal.

The powwow comes just hours after the developer pushing the $1 billion project - New York Regional Interconnect - filed its much anticipated application with the state Public Service Commission yesterday.

The massive proposal, which was not immediately available for public viewing, says building the 200-mile power line from Utica to New Windsor would save consumers $11.7 billion in electricy during the next two decades.

"NYRI will be an important economic engine for all New Yorkers as lower energy pricing will increase the state's economic competitiveness and promote statewide growth," project manager Bill May said in a news release. "Better pricing, cleaner energy and a more reliable electric transmission system benefit everyone."

But federal, state and local officials representing communities along the project's proposed route question the benefit of erecting power lines through neighborhoods and scenic areas, like the Delaware River Valley. Oneida, Madison and Sullivan county lawmakers have passed resolutions opposing the project in its entirety.

Orange County legislators will consider a similar proposal at their meeting today.

"It looks like a nuisance and I would like to derail it," said Rocco DiVeronica, who heads Madison's Board of Supervisors.

Hoping to focus such opposition, Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo got the state Association of Counties to coordinate a series of conference calls and meetings, including today's.

But participants are still waiting to hear Orange County Executive Ed Diana's position. Orange could expect a more direct benefit from any new energy the power line carries into the New York metropolitan area.

Orange would also host the tax-dollar-generating electric substation NYRI would have to expand in New Windsor to support the project. While Diana has raised several concerns about the project, he has not taken a stance against it.

"We need to make sure we can keep the lights on," Diana spokesman Steve Gross said.