Hinchey vows support for river plan

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

ALBANY, NY — U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-22) says he will expect the National Park Service to uphold river plan land use guidelines in dealing with the proposed high-voltage transmission line.

Hinchey said, “I think we can expect complete support from the park service in upholding the 1988 River Management Plan, which was approved by the Secretary of the Interior. And we will require it of them, frankly.

“The idea of stringing these lines along the river valley is completely unacceptable, and it is incompatible with management plan. The proposal would have to be in compliance,” he said.

“Isn’t it fortunate that the plan was adopted in 1988? It is the one thing that affords us protection against this assault,” he added.

According to the management plan, major electric lines are incompatible with its standards for protecting the natural, physical and social character of the river corridor. But a new bill before the New York State Assembly (S05728) proposes to amend laws that normally govern placement of new transmission lines, a bill that National Park Service Superintendent Dave Forney said could “weaken existing safeguards” if the New York State Assembly passes it.

When asked about the proposed bill, Hinchey said, “Our first line of defense is the assembly. The legislation by the governor is not yet adopted, and we would fully expect the assembly to act against that legislation.”

“This problem, along with many of our transmission problems stem from deregulation, which was rushed through in New York and at the federal level without analysis of the implications of the scheme. It seems to me that some people may be trying to take advantage of the situation at the moment.”

Hinchey said he does not expect Pegasus’ application to advance to final stages, which would bring it under review by the New York Public Services Commission, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission.

“If it does, people should get geared up for a struggle… we can anticipate a major battle to protect our communities. The idea of stringing a 500 kV line would destroy the river valley and its communities. I am hoping Albany will have better sense,” he said.