NY Officials on Sidelines Amid Power Line Feud
Date: 16-Jun-06
Country: USA
Author: Ransdell Pierson
Residents became alarmed on March 30 when a privately held company known as New York Regional Interconnection (NYRI) announced plans to build the high-voltage power line over two possible routes between Utica and the town of New Windsor in Orange County.
Much of the line would be erected along unspoiled stretches of the western Catskill Mountains and along parts of the Upper Delaware River corridor that are protected under a federal wild and scenic river designation.
Two weeks ago, NYRI asked the state Public Service Commission for a permit to build the 1200 megawatt line beginning in 2008, saying it would become operational by 2011 and have enough capacity to deliver power to as many as 1.2 million homes in the state.
But critics contend the company -- which would deliver but not generate electricity -- has not demonstrated the line is needed. Moreover, they say it would rip a giant scar in the landscape that would harm tourism and sport fishing, two remaining vital industries in the economically stagnant upstate region.
"We'll continue to work to ensure there is adequate power in New York City and all across the state, but for this particular project it is too early to take a position," Peter Constantakes, a spokesman for Pataki, said when asked about the governor's stance.
Spitzer spokesman Paul Larrabee on Thursday said the attorney general could not take a position because he may be called upon to give official legal advice to state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Conservation, that will review the proposed power line.
"But Mr. Spitzer has repeatedly urged for a balanced energy and environmental policy that both stimulates the economy, while preserving our resources," Larrabee said. Spitzer is running as the Democratic Party candidate for New York governor in the November election.
Bethany Lesser, a spokeswoman for US Sen. Charles Schumer, said, "We have many questions that need answering and need to take a long, hard look at this proposal." The office of New York's other US senator, Hillary Clinton, did not return calls for comment.
NYRI says its line is needed to deliver surplus electricity from northern New York state closer to energy-hungry New York City. Its primary investor is a Toronto entrepreneur named Robert McLeese, who finances power projects.
Overflowing crowds of residents have thronged different town hall meetings with NYRI officials in recent months, attacking the proposed power line, which McLeese says will cost more than $1.6 billion to construct.
Few supporters have surfaced, although the company says boosters may come forward as the project winds its way through the regulatory review process.
"This project is very beneficial because it breaks down congestion in the transmission system and improves the reliability for the whole of New York state," said McLeese, who described himself as NYRI's primary shareholder.
He said NYRI is now leaning against its earlier favored route, which would have erected towers along 74 miles of the Upper Delaware River, following intense outcry from environmentalists and residents.
Instead, he said the company will now fight for another route that will hug about 4 miles of the protected Delaware River corridor. It will then move slightly inland along the right of way of the proposed Millennium natural gas pipeline -- a partnership of several US energy firms, including Columbia Gas Transmission Corp., a unit of NiSource Inc.
"We have no business relationship with the power line company and their project is not far enough along for us to take a formal position on their project," said Brent Archer, a spokesman for Columbia.