Staying on the line

• Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Chris Cunningham has been chosen to head the newly formed anti-power line group Communities Against Regional Interconnects (CARI).

The group, which has representatives from all eight counties that could be traversed by the NYRI power lines, met for the first time Tuesday in Albany to discuss the hiring of legal representation to fight the project. CARI also has representatives from the Upper Delaware Council, STOP NYRI and the Upstate New York Citizens Alliance.

· State Senator John Bonacic has introduced legislation in Albany to prohibit the use of eminent domain by New York Regional Interconnect. In a press release, Bonacic said that under New York State law, electric companies are able to condemn private property and take it for their own profit. Bonacic’s bill, which may be voted on as early as this week, would prohibit all electric and gas companies formed under the New York State Corporation Law from exercising eminent domain.

· Orange County Executive Ed Diana took a firm stand against the 200-mile power lines proposed by New York Regional Interconnect. Diana had been on the fence over the project, saying it might be of benefit to some in Orange County. But at a 900-person demonstration against the electric transmission line in Otisville on Thursday, he said, “I will fight to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

· Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno has added his voice to the chorus of opposition to the power line project. Bruno said last week that because of the economic and environmental harm it would cause and because of strong resistance by the community and senators along the proposed route, the plan should not go forward.