Fight rages as NYRI plot unfolds

NORWICH – Almost one year after it began, the fight against New York Regional Interconnect Inc. has gotten complicated, local opposition leaders said at a public meeting Tuesday, but it’s still raging on.

“We are still here, and we are still fighting,” said Chris Rossi, the co-chair of STOP NYRI, a citizens group representing Madison and Chenango counties. “We’re doing a damn good job, and we are going to celebrate and let www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI know about it.”

Rossi is referring to a public rally in Sherburne scheduled for May 19, the one-year anniversary of NYRI’s incomplete Article VII power line application filing with the state’s Public Service Commission.

A crowd of roughly 30 gathered at the United Church of Christ in Norwich and heard updates on federal power-line related legislation, the PSC process, STOP NYRI funding and legal efforts, the work of Communities Against Regional Interconnect (a seven-county coalition against the project), and www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI’s public relations campaign.

“They’ve spun this project to make it sound like the best thing since sliced bread,” Rossi said. “It’s important that we go right back at them.”

The explosive train derailment Monday in Oneida brought up concerns in the audience about the significant length of NYRI’s power line that would be located along railroad tracks.

“It really highlights the danger of putting a power line along railroad tracks,” STOP NYRI co-chair Eve Ann Shwartz said.

www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI is an Albany-based subsidiary proposing to build a 190-mile-long, 400,000 volt transmission line from Oneida to Orange County, splitting 44 miles of Chenango. Many question the company’s intentions and identity, and fear the line would blight scenic views, lower property values, impose harmful health effects, and displace citizens from their homes and communities. NYRI contends its project would provide affordable upstate electricity for downstate consumers, benefiting all of New York state.