SCHUMER SENDS LIST OF “MUST-ANSWER” QUESTIONS TO NEW YORK REGIONAL INTERCONNECT ON PROPOSED POWER LINE
Expressing Skepticism, Senator Wants List Of Pointed Questions Fully Answered
Asks for Details on NYRI Proposed Route, Its Impact on Communities, and Energy Benefits Claims

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today pressed New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) for detailed answers to pointed questions about the company’s proposed 200-mile, high-tower electrical power line that would pass through a number of Central New York and Hudson Valley counties. In a letter to Richard Muddiman, President of NYRI, Schumer asked for details on NYRI power line’s proposed route, its energy benefit claims, and community concerns, including the impact on property values and tourism along the project’s proposed route through Oneida, Madison, Chenango, Broome, Delaware, Sullivan and Orange counties.

“I am skeptical about the NYRI power line proposal, given what I have seen and read thus far,” Schumer said.  “The potential impact of this project on affected communities in Central New York and the Hudson Valley is profound and far reaching, while the benefits, if any, are uncertain. There are a number of questions I need addressed, that the people of this region need addressed, and these communities deserve answers. They also deserve more information and better access to the designers of the project, so I am calling on NYRI to hold a series public meetings throughout the region. Recently, a number of concerned residents could not attend a meeting in Norwich, because the forum was too small. This project is too big and its potential impacts too far reaching for any concerned resident to be turned away.”

Schumer’s letter follows:

Dear Mr. Muddiman,
 
I write today as a representative both of the New York communities along the proposed route for the New York Regional Interconnect and of the Lower Hudson Valley and New York City communities that could receive power supplied by NYRI to ask that you answer the following questions regarding the project and its potential impacts in New York.
 
I ask that you answer these questions within one week and look forward to your thorough response.


GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NYRI ROUTE:

* Please provide details of all proposed routes; identify which one is the preferred route; and spell out under what circumstances alternative routes might be used. Please be sure to specifically address the Wild and Scenic Rivers route. Is NYRI willing to categorically commit that it will not route the transmission line through any portion of the area designated part of the "Wild and Scenic River" area of the Delaware?

* If NYRI's preferred route is not viable in some sections, where will it then try to locate the transmission line?

* Has NYRI explored the possibility of acquiring right of way adjacent to the existing Marcy South transmission lines, locating NYRI's lines along an expanded existing corridor?

* Has NYRI explored the possibility of acquiring right of way access along the Thruway?

* What studies have been done on the economic impact of the proposed NYRI transmission lines on the local economies of the host communities, especially those that rely heavily on their natural assets to attract tourism?   If there are no such studies, will NYRI agree to contract with an appropriate independent entity to ascertain this vital information?

* What property taxes and other financial payments will be made to host communities? Will NYRI agree to long-term PILOTs, to assure that taxes to local communities are not later reduced as a result of the company challenging local assessments?

* Studies suggest that property values along a power transmission line could be negatively impacted. If property values drop as a result of the NYRI project, will NYRI develop a compensation package for those affected along the route?

* Please specify what other benefits will accrue to the residents and municipal governments along NYRI's proposed route. 


QUESTIONS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF THE NYRI LINE

* How much additional power will the proposed NYRI transmission lines bring into southern New York and what communities will receive this power? Please be as specific as possible as to where the power supply will be targeted/ how much will be designated for each community.   

* Will this transmission line increase development of alternative energy in New York State and if so, where and how?

* What impact do you expect the NYRI line to have on electricity rates in each region of New York? Will this project increase rates for consumers in host communities?

* What impact will the NYRI project have on overall grid reliability?  Specifically, will it enhance reserve power margins in the greater NYC area?

* What justification has NYRI put forth for requesting that its route be designated an NIETC?


SPECIFIC COMMUNITY CONCERNS:

* Sections of the proposed route that use the railroad right-of-way run through the heart of established communities, including the Village of Otisville (Orange County).  How does NYRI propose to avoid the negative impacts of a transmission line through these historic "Main Streets"?

* Has NYRI met with elected officials from all impacted communities to discuss the impact of the proposed transmission lines on their communities?

* Recently, due to a lack of space, a number of residents have been turned away from public meetings concerning this project.  Will NYRI agree to conduct a new series of easily accessed public hearings, located in facilities capable of accommodating the large number of residents who wish to learn about this proposal, and express their opinions on it?

* Has NYRI met with officials of the National Park Service and the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River unit of the National Park system about their concerns over the impact of the transmission line crossing through Park property along the Delaware River?  In addition, what is the US Dept of Energy's response to the determination of the National Park Service under Part 7A of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act that one of the proposed NYRI transmission line routes would violate section 7A?


June 22nd, 2006