Hinchey, left, and Cunningham

Monticello – A package of three bills that Rep. Maurice Hinchey says would “effectively stop the New York Regional Interconnect power line” is being introduced in congress.  The Democrat congressman says this is the “best approach” to stopping NYRI in its tracks.

“Because it specifically addresses provisions in that ’05 energy bill which I believe are not just inappropriate, but perhaps unconstitutional and clearly contrary to the interests of private individuals and communities as well as states.”

One bill would repeal the section of the 2005 act that authorizes the Department of Energy to designate national corridors.  The second bill, “Protecting Communities from Power Line Abuse Act”, would strip the ability of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant federal eminent domain authority to projects such as the NYRI power line.  Both bills are being introduced by Hinchey. 

The third bill, “National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor Clarification Act”, would ensure that areas which are recognized for their scenic, natural, cultural or historic values, such as the upper Delaware River, are protected from power line corridors. 

Hinchey is cosponsoring that bill. Other sponsors include area Democrat John Hall, and Republican Frank Wolf, of Virginia.

Britt: "we need to know"

Several joined Hinchey at a Monticello news conference to support the federal legislative effort, including Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Chris Cunningham, who also chairs Communities Against Regional Interconnect, Upper Delaware Council Chairman William Douglass and representatives of private groups fighting the NYRI project.

Also attending, several citizens, including Celeste Britt, who moved to the Town of Hamptonburgh, after the Marcy South power line was erected.

 “It would make perfect sense to tap out and maximize the efficiency of towers that have already been in place, and are already supplying energy.  It would seem to me that we need to know just to what extent … the efficiency level that the Marcy South lines are being used.”

Good question, said Hinchey, who conceded he did not have that information, but, he speculated that the efficiency of such a long-distance transmission of electricity is not high.