NYRI: Reality Check

http://www.nyri.us/pdfs/Reference/NYRI_Project_Update.pdf (pg 22 of 24)

NYRI has ben committed to the state process from day one and continues to work with the New York PSC through the Article VII process.

Of course NYRI is committed to the state process; by law, they must go through the state process. But that doesn't mean they won't go to DOE/FERC to get this project approved.

NYRI submitted a request to the Department of Energy (DOE) on March 9, 2006 that “the Department consider NYRI’s proposed transmission corridor for early designation as a NIETC”. http://www.oe.energy.gov/DocumentsandMedia/nyri.pdf

NYRI submitted their application to the New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) on May 31, 2006 .

NYRI should be required to provide a detailed list of lobbyists and historical contacts to all public officials (local, state and federal) concerning the NYRI (& Pegasus) project.

NYRI is a New York company headquartered in Albany that has Canadian investors. NYRI’s activities will be heavily regulated by the NYPSC and the FERC.

Who are the investors and why the secrecy? Does it make any sense for a private company with unknown investors (of unknown citizenship) to be able to use the power of eminent domain on private US landowners?

NYRI’s proposed line and the alternative routes studied do not require that any home be taken by this project. However, like every linear infrastructure project, e.g., the NYS Thruway, some use of eminent domain could be necessary, and would come in the form of easements over property. The NYPSC recognizes the need to use eminent domain to ensure that energy requirements are met. NYRI would provide fair or above market value for such easements.

Unlike a highway or natural gas line in which the adjacent property owners have access to the resource, the proposed NYRI project will not provide power to any community or business along its length; it is a committed line between two substations. Unlike a public, not-for-profit state agency, NYRI is a for-profit company.