Energy commission reassures Hinchey on dam

WASHINGTON, DC — At a meeting with officials from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Wednesday, March 15, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) received assurances that Swinging Bridge Dam would be repaired soon and that the reservoir is expected to return to its historic water levels by early fall.

Mirant is currently licensed as a hydroelectric producer for Swinging Bridge Dam by FERC. A sinkhole was discovered in the dam in May 2005, at which time Mirant significantly lowered water levels. Earlier this year, it indicated to FERC that it is considering surrendering its operating license for the Swinging Bridge Reservoir system due to the high costs of repairing the dam and the low return on their hydroelectric investment.

FERC officials told Hinchey that they would not let Mirant surrender its lease without first repairing the dam. They said that they plan to briefly let the water return to its historic levels sometime in the spring or early summer. After that, the water level will need to be lowered again to make sure that the repairs to the dam are sufficient and effective. If the test of the dam goes well, the reservoir should be restored to its historic water levels sometime in early autumn.

Comments invited on low-income heating assistance program

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is seeking comments from interested parties on reinstituting the Low Income Pilot Program at Pike County Light and Power. “A growing number of Pike customers have applied for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits and have requested payment arrangements from the company and this commission,” said commissioner Bill Shane in a joint motion with commission chairman Wendell F. Holland to seek comments to the commission’s proposal.

On July 23, 1998, the commission approved the company’s expanded universal service programs to include $7,500 annually to the Low Income Pilot Program, which would be used for arrearage forgiveness and energy conservation measures for qualifying consumers. The program was discontinued on June 1, 2004 at the company’s request due to low response rates, a low number of consumers applying for the LIHEAP and a low number of consumers seeking payment arrangements.

To submit a comment, send an original and 15 copies to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Attn.: Secretary James J. McNulty, P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265.

Glen Spey man arrested for assault with shovel

GLEN SPEY, NY — Leo Belcher Jr. of Glen Spey was arrested on Monday for assault, possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property. State police from Narrowsburg went to West Mohecan Trail to investigate a report of a man being hit with a shovel. Officers say the 74-year-old Belcher hit his neighbor with the shovel, breaking it in half. The incident was sparked by a property dispute.

Belcher was arrested and sent to the Sullivan County Jail on $500 bail.

Damascus receives state grant

DAMASCUS, PA — Damascus, Oregon and Manchester townships have been awarded a $26,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), as announced at the March 20 meeting of the township supervisors.

Damascus had enlisted the participation of the other townships in a multi-municipal effort to develop a comprehensive plan. Instead of three separate plans, the townships will have one plan containing some items peculiar to each township. This is a first in the history of local Pennsylvania politics in the Delaware River Valley.

The grant, which demands a 50/50 share from the townships, is meant to encourage municipalities to work together on common problems that do not observe borders, including watersheds and storm water management.

“We are developing a survey instrument that we will mail to every resident—and they will mail back to us—to find out what they think is important,” Matern said.

Cell tower company approaches Damascus

DAMASCUS, PA — Damascus town supervisor Bill Gager has announced that the Princeton Tower Company has approached the township to explore the possibility of bringing cell phone service to Damascus.

“I just told them we would be willing to listen to any proposal they might have,” Gager said. “I don’t know any more details about their plan.”

Princeton Tower Company attempted to erect a tower in the township in March 2002, but gave up because of difficulties with hilly terrain and the proposed citing of a cell tower in the township’s river district section, which prohibits commercial communications devices.

Idaho governor likely to succeed Norton at Interior

WASHINGTON, DC — President Bush has nominated Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to replace Gail Norton as his new Secretary of the Interior. Norton resigned on March 10.

If confirmed, Kempthorne, 54, could be expected to continue Norton’s pro-development policies, promoting Bush administration policies on mining, lumbering and drilling on public lands. Confirmation is considered likely, given the Republican majority and the fact that the Senate seldom votes down persons who have previously served in the Senate.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the main lobbying arm for environmental groups, gives Kempthorne low marks on environmental issues. “During his career in Congress, Gov. Kempthorne earned a paltry one-percent lifetime LCV score. Enough said,” said Tony Massaro, a senior vice president of the group.

Kempthorne also has a record of supporting reservation gambling, having promoted a bill in Idaho to legalize electronic slot machines that others deemed to be in violation of the state constitution. The bill was eventually blocked by the Idaho senate.