Hancock Says No To NYRI Powerlines In New York Public Service Commission Hearing
By Jim M.
The New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) recently brought its Article Seven hearing and decision phase of NYRI’s application to Hancock.
The hearings are held to determine if there is a need for the NYRI proposal, the nature of probable environmental impact, the extent to which the facility would minimize any adverse environmental impact, what parts of the power line will be under and above ground, whether the location conforms to state law and, most importantly, if the facility is in the public interest.
The hearings have taken place so far in Hamilton, Oneonta, Callicoon, Middletown, Lake Huntington, Montgomery and Utica.
On November 5, the NYPSC held a hearing in Hancock Central School’s auditorium. The hearing began with one hour of informal questions and information presented by Administrative Law Judge Jeffery E. Stockholm who was later joined by Administrative Law Judge Michelle E. Phillips.
Hancock’s position on NYRI was clear from the start. During the information session a man stood up in front of the crowd of about 75 and asked them “Who is against NYRI?” Every hand went up, but this went unrecorded by the court stenographer as the information session was not part of the actual hearing.
The hearing started at 7:00 pm. Anyone could make a statement to be recorded and considered in the NYPSC’s certification process.
Samuel Rowe Jr. Town Supervisor for Hancock spoke first. He spoke of the various projects that Delaware County and Hancock have been involved in that supply downstate New York with natural gas and clean drinking water.
Rowe brought up how the people of Hancock have been called “Nimby’s” (Not In My BackYard). “We’re a little temperamental about the backyard we have left,” Rowe said.
Residents of Hancock and surrounding areas also testified against NYRI. Diana Motica, who moved to Hancock years ago, stated that the NYRI proposal has caused her and her husband “insurmountable pain and suffering.”
Family School Marketing Specialist Ann Kozak spoke up for the school, saying that if NYRI were to build power lines on school property as proposed, “the school would have to close up and move.”
If The Family School closes then all of Hancock would be affected. “This is one of the few businesses that would be impacted. We are one of the largest employers in Hancock and Delaware County,” Kozak said.
A popular argument stated by those testifying was the fact the project would raise the electricity rates upstate for a long period of time.
Another argument was that the power lines would exclusively benefit downstate residents but saddle upstaters with harmful externalities such as visual and noise pollution, and potentially harmful electromagnetic fields (EMIs).
The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) is responsible for upholding a River Management Plan which protects the 55,575-acre Delaware River valley. According to Bill Douglass of UDC, the proposed routes of the power line are a “clear and present danger” to the protected area.
According to Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI, www.caricoalition.com) there have only been four statements that were pro-NYRI in the four PSC hearings that have been held to date.
The final hearing was held on November 6 in Norwich, NY. The hearing was very similar to the one in Hancock and the public spoke against NYRI.
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