ROCHESTER - The Department of Energy is holding its second hearing regarding New York Regional Interconnect's proposal to build power lines through New York State.

WKTV's Pat Bailey was at the hearing all day on Tuesday. Click on the video icon to see his report.

Delayed Arcuri speaks

ROCHESTER – After delayed flights, Congressman Michael Arcuri arrived in Rochester where he spoke at the hearing.

Public Service Commission: "DOE has no authority" for corridor

ROCHESTER – The New York State Public Service Commission, whom NYRI has to file an application with in order to build the power line, has just told the Department of Energy that “there should be no designation of a corridor in New York State at this time.”

The NYS Public Service Commission said that the Department of Energy “does not have the authority to make a corridor in New York State,” that it is a decision that should be left up to the state itself.

D.O.E. makes opening statements at power line hearing

ROCHESTER – The Department of Energy has now had their turn to make opening statements in today’s hearing.

In their opening remarks, a representative from the DOE outlines what a “transmission corridor is,” what the “Energy Act of 2005,” is, and explaining that the Energy Act is what allows the Federal Government to override state law.

The proposed route for the power line, the DOE said, would begin in upstate New York and extend all the way down to Virginia, using a map that outlines the route upon which 55 million people live in.

The DOE said that something needs to be done to fix the energy problems they have noticed, and said that they are not present in support of or against NYRI’s plan.

The DOE “does not make solutions, but is there to recognize problems,” a representative from the DOE said. “We’re not here to build power lines, we’re here to fix problems.”

Picente makes opening remarks at power line hearing

ROCHESTER - As officials with the Department of Energy meet in West Henrietta on New York Regional Interconnect's Corridor Project, opening remarks have begun.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente opened his remarks at the hearing by saying he is filing a formal protest that the Department of Energy did not hold a hearing in Oneida County.

“NYRI will solve downstate needs but crush upstate hopes,” he said. “The federal government does not belong intervening in a state matter.”

Department of Energy representative talks with Newschannel 2 on power lines

ROCHESTER - The department of energy is holding it' s second hearing, right now, regarding New York regional interconnects proposal to build power lines through New York State.

Just a few months ago the Department of Energy (DOE) labeled NYRI’s route a national interest corridor, and now law makers and landowners want to know why.

Newschannel 2' s Pat Bailey is live in Rochester at today’s hearing.

Today’s schedule:

Doors opened at noon with presentations beginning slightly after 1 p.m.

It will run all day until 7 p.m., with two opportunities for public comment from 1 - 3:30 p.m., with a short 15 minute break.

Comments will then resume again from 3:45 – 7 p.m

Coming up tonight on Newschannel Two at 5 and 6 we will hear reaction from not only law makers who made the trip today, but the many residents and landowners fighting these lines.

Click on the video link to hear Newschannel 2 speak with a member of the Department of Energy on the matter.