NYRI challenges setbacks, will continue to push power line forward

NORWICH – Despite a recent legal setback and the release of two energy reports that claim its $1.6 billion power line “need not be implemented” to prevent future black-outs and high electricity bills, New York Regional Interconnect officials say the company will continue to pine for state approval of the project.

NYRI aims to begin its permit review with the Public Service Commission (PSC), the state’s power line authority, in “a matter of a few weeks,” spokesman David Kalson said Thursday, and has no plans of side-stepping Albany for what’s perceived as more a more favorable process in Washington.

The PSC rejected the company’s first permit application in July 2006. NYRI has since missed several dates it gave for re-filing, the latest being the end of summer.

Kalson could not give a specific date for its completion, but says the revised application, known as the Article VII, will comply with PSC guidelines – unlike the first attempt.

“The supplemental filing will include, as requested by the PSC, more extensive studies of alternative routes as well as detailed economic and environmental impact studies,” he said.

NYRI is proposing to build a 190-mile-long power line from Utica to Orange County to relieve energy constraints downstate. The project would split 44 miles of Chenango County, upsetting its rural identity and depressing already struggling local economies, local opponents say.

Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI), an anti-power line group made up of officials and citizens from the eight counties the power line would encroach, will ask the federal government this week to reconsider its recent approval of “National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors.” Inside the corridors – which cover 10 states in all, including most of New York – company’s like NYRI could gain approval and eminent domain rights from Washington despite being denied at the state level. CARI Attorney John Kluscik says if the feds don’t reconsider, it may take the corridor fight to the Supreme Court.

“We’re going to request that the Department of Energy review it’s policy of National Interest corridors,” he said. “If it chooses not to, we’ll strongly consider taking action at the next level.”