Schumer to FERC: No more NYRI extensions

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has called on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant no more extensions to NYRI, a group of investors who want to build an electrical transmission line from Oneida to Orange counties.

In April, New York Regional Interconnect Inc. withdrew its application to the state's Public Service Commission to build a $2.1 billion power line that could run through Chenango, Delaware and/or Otsego counties. Since then, however, NYRI has asked FERC to review its case, trying to keep the project alive.

The firm was supposed to have all its information sent to FERC by last month, but was granted an extension to July 9.

In response, Schumer wrote to FERC this week, asking that the commission ``discontinue granting further extensions to NYRI for filing arguments for a rehearing.''

Schumer noted that communities in the area have been fighting the proposal, and extensions granted to the company sap their energy and limited resources.

``These communities produced grass-roots organizations, catalyzing an outpouring of support against NYRI's attempt to set aside community concerns, and invested significant resources in fighting the plan,'' he wrote.

``NYRI has had ample opportunity to present their case and appeal the process to the necessary state and federal agencies," Schumer's letter continued. "Postponing this decision is only exacerbating the financial strain which the localities are currently under and will continue to incur from NYRI.

``This maneuver is inexcusable and can clearly be seen as a last-ditch effort to keep their project alive," the letter continued. "It is for these reasons that I am asking FERC to deny NYRI's request for a rehearing and to end this once and for all.''

David Kalson has been a spokesman for the firm, but said Thursday he is no longer associated with the project.

Kalson suggested contacting Albany attorney Leonard Singer for a corporate response, but Singer was unavailable by phone for comment Thursday.

Chris Rossi, co-chairwoman of Stop NYRI Inc., a group that has opposed the project, said members appreciate efforts made by Schumer and 24th District Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, to declare the project dead.

``We had a steering committee meeting last night,'' she said Thursday, ``and we know this isn't over yet.

``Even if NYRI is abandoned, we want to make sure we're not vulnerable to a NYRIesque project in the future,'' she added.

Under the guise of environmental progress and green energy, Rossi said, some proposals before the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate could do great harm to this area by allowing unnecessary power lines to be built.

``We realize we have to stay on top of this, because even if NYRI is officially dead, who knows what will come next,'' she said.

Group members would like to let down their guard, Rossi said, but don't dare to do so.