Power line proposed

By DAVID HULSE

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware River Corridor has been proposed as a conduit for a new power transmission line to assist the power-starved New York City metropolitan area.

Upper Delaware National Park Service (NPS) Superintendent David Forney reported to the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) on September 4 that a Canadian firm, identified only as Pegasus, has asked for a private September 18 meeting with the NPS and other involved state and local agencies to discuss a plan to build a 5,500 volt DC transmission line along the right-of-way of the Norfolk-Southern Railroad.

Most power transmission lines are AC power, the same as existing house current. DC power sources include car and flashlight batteries.

DC power is more efficient in transmission as it is less subject to loss of voltage due to the impedance of transmission lines. It is less subject to voltage fluctuations and may be charged or shut down without concern to balancing current levels.

Forney said the line would not involve the construction of high towers, but added that the NPS is concerned about visual impacts to the federally protected river valley.

The company’s plan is to connect to exist transmission lines, which now terminate in the Utica area. “After [the blackout on] August 14, they’re looking to expand the power supply in New York City,” Forney explained.

UDC Resource Specialist David Soete said power transmission lines are listed as a non-conforming use by the land use guidelines of the River Management Plan.

Forney said he had queried the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about the power line and found electric transmission lines are licensed solely by the states’ public utilities commissions.

In past, the governors of both New York and Pennsylvania have signed off on orders requiring state agencies to comply with the goals of the Upper Delaware River Management Plan.

“This is only the very first step in what I’m sure will be a very long process,” Forney said.