NYRI still a state issue - for now

NORWICH – New York Regional Interconnect Inc.’s power line proposal is still a New York state issue – for the time being.

Under the direction of the state’s Public Service Commission, www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI is currently supplementing its deficient Article VII citing application and investigating the possibility of using alternative routes, such as building along the Thruway or the Marcy South Power Line trail, as was first reported by The Evening Sun on Nov. 13.

But state and federal agencies have increased measures to prepare for Washington’s involvement in the project since a federal study in August confirmed that metropolitan New York – where NYRI claims the line would benefit – is in critical need of energy relief. Aside from conducting the study, however, the U.S. Department of Energy hasn’t taken any further steps guided by the 2005 Energy Policy Act to potentially remove the state’s authority to solve the problem – and open another door for NYRI to slip its project through.

To do so, the DOE would have to first designate southern New York as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor, giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority over state jurisdiction – under certain circumstances – within that region.

“The Department is proceeding as expeditiously as possible,” said Poonum Agrawal, an official with the U.S. Department of Energy. “To date, the Secretary has not decided whether or not, and if so where, a National Corridor designation would be appropriate.”