New York Regional Interconnect WITHDRAWN!!!
April 3rd, 2009
TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTUS
The New York Regional Interconnect has been withdrawn… withdrawn in the middle of cross-examination… like WOW!
This from a missive from Troy Bystrom, Project Manager for Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI) just a bit ago:
WE WON!!! NYRI PROJECT WITHDRAWS APPLICATION!!!
Today following a mid-day break in the Article VII certification proceeding, NYRI announced it will withdraw its application from consideration by the Public Service Commission. Counsel for NYRI explained that in the wake of a decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission earlier this week, NYRI’s investors decided to end their pursuit of an Article VII Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need. Earlier this week, FERC denied NYRI’s request for rehearing in a proceeding relating to the recovery of transmission system upgrade costs.
The announcement that NYRI is withdrawing its application occurred in the midst of cross examination of NYRI Witnesses and immediately following CARI’s cross examination on demand side management and economics.
The presiding officers asked NYRI to confirm in writing their withdrawal no later than Monday, April 6, 2009. The Judges also made clear that if NYRI were to seek approval for a similar project in the future, NYRI would be required to once again start at the beginning of the Article VII process.
Communities Against Regional Interconnect, on behalf of the counties of Sullivan, Orange, Delaware, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego and the Upper Delaware Council, Stop NYRI, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, Say No to NYRI and the Upstate New York Citizens’ Alliance, would like to thank all of those who participated in opposing this ill-conceived Power Line Project in our region.
Thank you to everyone who sent donations, wrote letters, provided testimony, attended public meetings, County planning departments, communities, legal experts, the Attorney General’s Office, DEC, Department of Public Service, consultants, media, organizations, activists, local, state and federal elected officials who all participated in this unprecedented regional effort.
Together, we made a difference. However, the work is not over! We must secure intervener funding to protect the public interest if similar projects are proposed in the future and make sure the 4th District Court’s decision regarding FERC’s authority is not overturned!
And from Scott Olson, of Susquahanna-Roseland “Route B” fame, here’s a collection of today’s news flashes about it:
* APRIL 3, 2009, 4:21 P.M. ET
NY Regional Interconnect Suspends 190-Mile Transmission Project
-By Ian Talley, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9285; ian.talley@dowjones.com“FERC’s March 31 ruling essentially admits that the process may be biased, but it chose not to intervene,” the company said in a statement.
Officials from FERC and NYISO weren’t immediately able to comment.
… and on the scene, from the Pike County Courier:
NYRI calls it quits — the flying horse is dead
Leave a Reply