P.S.C. Staff recommends no power lines
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By PAT BAILEY
Story Created:
Jan 13, 2009 at 5:40 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jan 14, 2009 at 7:36 PM EST
(WKTV) - The good news for many who oppose the NYRI project is that staff members at the Public Service Commission have said the project is not needed. The bad news is they are not the ones making the ultimate decision.
If you ask the Upstate groups, who oppose the project, the recommendation will carry plenty of weight. However, the spokesman for the Public Service Commission made it sound as though the recommendation will just be added to the already list of recommendations made to the P.S.C.
"It is too early to say how the commission will rule on NYRI. The commissioners will weigh closely all the comments and testimony in the case, then make a determination based upon thorough analysis of the record.' said Jim Denn, the Public Service Commission Spokesman.
Chairman of Citizens Against Regional Interconnect, Steve Dimeo sees the recommendation differently.
He says it shows the fight his CARI group has put up the last three years is paying off. "I think a very well reasoned and thought out public record is being built to show this line is not needed," Dimeo said.
"That it ( the power project) does not provide the benefits the reports says it provides, and that the route outlined by NYRI has substantial deficiencies," said Dimeo.
According to the P.S.C. spokesman, the next step in the NYRI proposal process comes in March, when hearings will be held in front P.S.C. law judges, who will then make a recommendation themselves.
When asked when we can expect a final decision, the spokesperson said "We're still several months away."
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