Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito, D-Rome (116th District), issued the following statement:
The following statement about the NYRI power line proposal was issued by Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito (D-Rome), and read on her behalf by her Community Relations Director, John Stemen, at the June 5, 2006 meeting of the Upstate New York Citizens' Alliance Group conducted at Sauquoit High School. (Assemblywoman Desito was unable to attend the meeting on that evening in person, as the Assembly was in session on that day in Albany.)
I regret that I could not attend this important meeting tonight. Over the last several weeks, my office has received dozens of e-mails, phone calls, and letters all opposing the NYRI power line proposal. Some of these letters are from people in the Southern Tier, or on the fringes of the Catskills; most are from Utica, and the communities south along the Route Eight corridor. All of these letters express the outrage people are feeling about this misguided plan.
On May 18th, I wrote to State Public Service Commission Chairman William Flynn. On May 31st, NYRI submitted its proposal to the State PSC. In that letter, I expressed other concerns, including NYRI's own admission that our local power rates will increase if this proposal is approved. I also discussed the planned path of this power line through a SEMI-NY Initiative site on our SUNYIT campus in Marcy, which will all but ruin one of our most valuable sites for economic development. I questioned why the company has not considered utilizing the Marcy-South Power Line right-of-way, and why company officials have been so evasive in their few public appearances in recent weeks. I also questioned how any 'host community' benefits NYRI might offer could possibly counter the devastation this plan could bring many residents of our region, including the higher electric rates for businesses and residential ratepayers.
I have also recently had a chance to talk with PSC Chairman William Flynn. I conveyed my concerns about the plans to him, and he assured me that the PSC will examine this proposal carefully, taking into account the concerns of our local residents.
The June 1, 2006 front-page story in the Observer-Dispatch shows why this outrageous proposal must be stopped. In it, Gary Giehl, who just bought a home on Higby Road in South Utica six months ago states unequivocally that if the power line is built as proposed near his home, he and his family will move, even if they must sell their home for a loss. Other South Uticans interviewed for the article echoed similar thoughts, saying they feared for their health; the noise the power lines could generate; and the loss of an attractive neighborhood.
For years, I have been telling people that one of the greatest assets of the Mohawk Valley region is our quality of life. There is no question that if this power line is built from Marcy, through Utica, New Hartford, and through the Sauquoit Valley, it will sacrifice our quality of life. Not only will our health be potentially jeopardized, but we will lose many of the things that drew us here, or kept us here-the ability to own an affordable home in a quiet, attractive residential neighborhood. It is simply not acceptable that we must sacrifice so much in order to provide the Hudson Valley with a more reliable source of energy!
I commend all of you for the interest you have already taken in this project. It's going to be a tough fight, but I can assure all of you that I will do everything I can to stop these plans in their tracks. I would urge you to continue your pro-active stance against this proposal.
Tomorrow in Albany, I will be meeting with the Public Service Commission to discuss key issues concerning this power line, and I will be conveying this message to the PSC. I want to conclude by emphasizing that in the coming weeks and months, it is vitally important that all of us in the Mohawk Valley-elected officials, representatives of organizations and citizens' groups, and residents-unite. To be successful, it is imperative that we speak with one voice! I am absolutely convinced that the success we achieved saving, and in fact enhancing DFAS and Rome Lab last summer was largely due to the fact that all key players-from elected officials to employees-united and spoke with one voice, and one common purpose-to save these facilities! We must follow this example, and again unite behind a common purpose if we are to prevent NYRI's proposal from becoming a reality.
I also must tell you that I find the position of neutrality or near-neutrality of our federal and state-level officials-including U.S. Senators Clinton and Schumer, Governor Pataki and Attorney General Spitzer to be absolutely unacceptable. While the Hudson Valley and other areas downstate may have an increased need for energy, this cannot be met by devastating the economy of the Mohawk Valley and Upstate New York, and destroying the way of life we have here. Officials in the Hudson Valley should consider siting new power generation plants in their region, to meet the demands of their own electrical use. The input of our state and federal-level officials is greatly needed to work toward a compromise that is acceptable to all sides in this issue.
Thank you very much for allowing me to present my views on this subject.
