Fighting New York Regional Interconnect Every Step of the Way

The message I hear at home regarding the New York Regional Interconnection (NYRI) proposal is overwhelming clear - not now and not ever. I am fighting every day to prevent NYRI from running roughshod over local property owners and potentially increasing local energy costs.  I am including below a timeline of every major step I have taken since January to stop NYRI.  Please know that as your federal representative, I will continue to shine the national spotlight on this critical local issue, and fight NYRI every step of the way.

H.R. 809, which would repeal the entire section of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which authorizes the Department of Energy to designate "national corridors" and permits companies to use federal eminent domain power.   Under this legislation, NYRI would be confined to the state procedures for approving electric transmission projects.

H.R. 810, which would modify the section of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizing companies permitted to build or modify transmission lines within a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor to use federal eminent domain.  The legislation amends this section so companies like NYRI are confined to follow state law.  Because of the revisions of the state eminent domain law signed by former NYS Governor George Pataki, NYRI would be unable to use New York's eminent domain procedures - leaving them without any eminent domain power.

March 27, 2007 - Successfully amended the Rail & Public Transportation Security Act (H.R. 1401) to require the federal government to evaluate the safety and security of placing high voltage direct current electric transmission power lines along active railroad rights-of-way.  The amendment would also require the federal government to report the findings of this assessment to Congress within six months of enactment of the Act.

April 25, 2007 - The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing regarding implementation of Section 1221 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which created sweeping new federal authority to site electric transmission lines throughout the country.  Arcuri questioned witnesses, including high-level Energy Department officials, regarding New York Regional Interconnects (NYRI) proposal to construct a high-voltage direct current electric transmission line in Upstate New York.

April 27, 2007 - Requested follow-up congressional hearings and a Department of Energy public meeting in Upstate New York to address public concerns regarding the Department of Energy's draft proposal to create a Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor. In a letter to Kevin Kolevar, Director of the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Arcuri requested local public meetings in Upstate New York to allow communities most affected by NYRI's proposed power line the opportunity to voice their concerns.

May 10, 2007 - Criticized the U.S. Department of Energy's announcement that it will hold an additional public meeting in Rochester, NY regarding its draft designation of a Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor. In response, Arcuri announced he will hold his own public meetings in Norwich and New Hartford.

May 31 and June 1, 2007 - Hosted public meetings in Norwich and New Hartford regarding the Department of Energy's (DOE) draft proposal to create a Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor that could allow New York Regional Interconnection (NYRI) to thwart state authority and use federal eminent domain to acquire private property. Arcuri collected hundreds of public comment forms, which he submitted to the DOE in Washington, D.C.

June 12, 2007 - Joined hundreds of local Stop NYRI supporters at the Department of Energy public meeting in Rochester regarding the draft Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor, and spoke in strong opposition to NYRI proposal and the proposed Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor.

June 20, 2007 - Spoke in strong support of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 Energy & Water Appropriations Bill (offered by Rep. Maurice Hinchey), which would prohibit the Department of Energy from using any funds to create National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) designations.

August 3, 2007 - President Bush signed into law H.R. 1, Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, which included language - offered by Arcuri as an amendment to H.R. 1401, Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 - instructing the Government Accountability Office to assess the placement of high voltage, direct current electric transmission lines along active railroad and transportation rights-of way.  The assessment includes an analysis of the economic, safety, and security risks and benefits to the inhabitants living adjacent to such rights-of-way and to consumers of electric power transmitted by such transmission lines.  The report was submitted to Congress within six months.

August 4, 2007 - Offered an amendment to the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3221) that would have prevented energy companies from using federal eminent domain power to condemn private property. NYRI would have been forced to use the state eminent domain process. Because of the revisions of the state eminent domain law signed by Governor Pataki in 2006, NYRI would then have been unable to use New York's eminent domain procedures - leaving them without any eminent domain power to acquire private property.

October 12, 2007 - Requested an immediate study of energy-saving alternatives to building new transmission lines.  In a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Bondman, Rep. Arcuri and other members of Congress requested that the Department order a study of the ways in which 21st Century technology can be harnessed to reduce electric grid congestion without requiring additional power lines.

February 1, 2008 - Announced completion of the Government Accountability Office study of the placement of high voltage, direct current electric transmission lines along active railroad and transportation rights-of way.   The independent, non-partisan study finds that siting new transmission lines, such as the one proposed by NYRI, may raise energy prices where the line starts, reduce property values and stunt alternative energy initiatives and energy conservation.  Rep. Arcuri forwarded a copy of the report to the NYS Public Service Commission, which has included the report as part of the record on the NYRI project on the PSC website.

April 4, 2008 - Writes to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission objecting to NYRI's request for guaranteed rate incentives for its investors because NYRI has not shown its proposed project is warranted or necessary.  On May 13, 2008, FERC denied NYRI's request for lack of adequate justification.

September 10, 2008 - Writes to Department of Energy requesting that the 2009 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study include a comprehensive assessment of congestion north of New York City.

October 22, 2008 - Testifies before NYS Public Service Commission Administrative Law Judges in opposition to the NYRI project during a public hearing held at Mohawk Valley Community College.

February 4, 2009 - Writes to newly-confirmed Department of Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu, introducing him to the NYRI battle and requesting a meeting with the Secretary to discuss the matter.

February 23, 2009 - Writes to new U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman, introducing him to the NYRI battle and enlisting his support in defeating the project.