NYRI issue gets congressional attention

NORWICH – Aside from deterring New York Regional Interconnect Inc., legislation introduced Monday in Washington also looks to propel the power line project from a regional issue into a national concern, one of the bills’ sponsors said.

“We are finding other people around the country who are in similar situations,” Congressman and bill co-sponsor Michael Arcuri (D-Utica) said, referring to citizens and representatives nationwide who fear federal law will override a state’s authority over projects like NYRI. “We’re taking it from a regional concern and making it a national concern.”

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-Hurley) authorized two versions of a bill that both call on repealing – to varying degrees – the 2005 Energy Policy Act and prohibiting the use of federal eminent domain law by www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI and other private power line developers. Arcuri and U.S. Representative John Hall (D-Dover Plains) are co-sponsoring the bills.

“We in Congress are taking measures to ensure that NYRI does not run roughshod over the communities and property owners who would be affected by this poorly planned and ill conceived proposal,” Arcuri said.

If made law, the first piece of legislation would remove the section of the 2005 energy act that gives the U.S. Department of Energy power to designate parts of New York state, and other states, as National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors. Corridor status would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – under certain circumstances – to overstep state jurisdiction in deciding projects such as www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI’s $1.6 billion power line.

“These bills would prevent the federal government from stepping in on behalf of NYRI and forcing New York residents to live with this power line project,” said Hinchey. “The federal government should be in the business of doing what’s right for the people of New York and the entire country, not helping power companies make huge profits.”