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New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) has plans to build a $1 billion high-voltage power line from Utica to Orange County

Update:

NYRI Powerline Background
The 200-mile-long project would carry up to 1,200 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 1 million homes. NYRI submitted its application for permission to build June 1, 2006, to the state Public Service Commission. The route of the power line will be along railroad rights of way and/or a right of way held by NY Gas & Electric Co., along either the Delaware River or a line further to the east. Concerns: that the proposed power line could cut across the Shawangunk Ridge, impact "protected" conservation lands, and seriously degrade scenic quality along its entire route, including the Shawangunks and the Delaware River valley.

The Sullivan County Division of Planning and Community Development has created a summary assessment of the project, NYRI Proposed Powerline: Critical Impacts and Issues. [PDF document]. A coalition — Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI) [PDF document] — which includes the governments of all eight affected counties as well as a number of grassroots organizations, has formed.

Among the most active of the local groups is SayNo2NYRI, based in Otisville, a community that would be among those most seriously disrupted by the powerline. Please also see related news articles.

New York Regional Interconnect's (NYRI) application to the Public Service Commission (PSC) is of great concern to all communities from Utica to New Windsor. While the application was deemed incomplete by the PSC, NYRI's lawyer on August 17th said that it intends to take their case beyond the State of New York. Even if the PSC's findings deny NYRI's application, it will pursue an alternate course to get permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Wording contained in an Act passed by Congress last year grants FERC the power to override a state's action when an FERC study indicates that the transmission line is a "national interest electric transmission corridor." Such a designation grants the power company permission to build the line using the power of eminent domain to secure the route. The ability of FERC to objectively deal with the project is in question evidenced by FERC board member Marc Spitzer's comment indicating that the go-ahead for the plan is a "no brainer."

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