Several Key Advances in the Fight Against the Power Lines
Over the last several weeks, there have been some big victories in the area’s fight against the power line proposed by a group of foreign investors known as New York Regional Interconnect (“NYRI”).
First, on August 30, 2006, the New York State Senate voted to give $1 million to fight NYRI’s proposal. The Senate awarded the money to the New York State Association of Counties, which will distribute it to the affected counties.
Second, on October 4, 2006, Governor George E. Pataki signed into law a bill that would limit the use of eminent domain by electric and gas corporations such as NYRI. This legislation amends the New York Transportation Corporations Law to prohibit gas and electric merchant transmission corporations from using eminent domain if:
● The transmission company commences and ends in New York State;
● The construction of power transmission lines will increase electric rates in any part of the State; and
● The corporation applied for but did not receive early designation as a national interest electric transmission corridor under the Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005.
These two big victories, however, DO NOT END THE FIGHT. There is some speculation that the bill signed by Pataki might well be successfully fought by NYRI and eventually overturned. In any event, no matter what happens in front of the New York State agency deciding the fate of the power line proposal (the Public Service Commission), NYRI is very likely to exercise its right to seek Federal permission to run the power line through our area.
WE THEREFORE STILL URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP. We cannot become complacent and decide the fight is over. Far from it.
Our local organization, SayNo2NYRI, is continuing to lead the fight against the power lines. The group has now become a not-for-profit corporation. In addition, SayNo2NYRI has become virtually a county-wide organization, with new volunteers joining us from the Towns of Hamptonburgh and Wallkill, and others interested in joining from the Town of Goshen. The organization is working to fight the lines on several fronts, and has formed committees to: raise funds for the fight; analyze the legal and technical aspects of the fight; continue to raise consciousness in the communities; improve our website and publicize our efforts against the power line in the media.
There are two major initiatives that the organization could use your help with:
First, we are preparing for a Goods and Services Auction fundraiser. It is scheduled for the evening of November 10, 2006 at the Community Center in Wallkill. We will accept many different types of donations from local businesses and individuals. Examples of the types of donations we would appreciate range from donations of goods such as artwork, antiques or gift baskets, or donations of services such as yard work, salon treatments, restaurant meals, etc. If you would like to donate, or know a person or business who would, please contact Laurine Seymour at Laurine@SayNo2NYRI.com. She will get you the appropriate donation forms.
Second, we need help identifying information on any and all historical, archeological, and/or environmental features which may lie at or near the power line’s entire intended path. Successful efforts to stop the power line may depend on identifying local historical, archeological or environmental information, such as details, for example, of small family cemeteries, old mill foundations or historically relevant and unique natural structures along the route of the proposed power line. We also need to identify locations of particular importance to our communities, regardless of historic importance, such as schools, churches, senior citizen centers, etc., that will be adversely impacted by the proposed power lines.
Only local residents and landowners really know what is on or near their property. We ask that you provide us with the information requested below about your property or areas nearby and send it to us as soon as you can at one of the addresses below.
● Do you have an old home?
● An old foundation?
● What do you know about the history behind your property?
● Is there an historic marker on your property?
● Was this your family's homestead?
● Is there a cemetery nearby?
● Was your home formerly used as a school or church?
● Are there unique geological features on your land?
● A stream?
● A rock outcropping?
● A swamp or wetland?
● A waterfall?
● Artesian well or spring?
Even if you are not sure whether your information is important, let us know. The information you provide may be very important to our cause. Information sources will remain confidential if you prefer.
Please contact us by one of the following methods.
Say No 2 NYRI
Box 661
Otisville, NY 10963
By email: Gail@SayNo2NYRI.com
Thank you for your help!