FERC 5 Myths

From a FERC presentation (11/11) http://www.ferc.gov/industries/electric/indus-act/siting/trans-siting-present.pdf

Five myths
1. Eminent domain will be the primary method used to acquire ROW
2. FERC will not hold local community meetings
3. FERC will not consider alternatives to proposed routes
4. Landowners will be denied a role and not be protected
5. FERC will not consider the State record

My rebuttals:
#1---The basic process is that there are negotiations, and if there is no settlement, then eminent domain is used. But knowing that eminent domain can be used against you, what choice do you really have not to negotiate?
#2---Instead of Utica, they held the NIETC public comments in Rochester
#3-#5---I read through hundreds of comments on the NIETC process---from utilities to public service commission comments to public citizen comments. I don't believe FERC made one (not one) single change to their plans based on any of those comments.

Actions (& inactions) mean more than words.

slide 3/14--The NYRI project does not cross state borders. I've never understood why FERC can overrule a project located wholly within the state of New York.