Map shows preferred (dark) and alternate routes the power line could have followed

ALBANY NY – A 190-mile high-voltage power that would have skirted at least a small stretch of the Delaware River, will not be built.  New York Regional interconnect suddenly scrapped its project, citing an unfavorable economic climate.

The NYRI power line had drawn strong opposition on both sides of the Delaware.  Pennsylvania residents, particularly in the portion of Wayne County across from where the primary route would have come in close proximity to the river, said it would destroy the natural ambience of the Upper Delaware Corridor.

The surprising action followed a March 31 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruling that denied NYRI’s request for a re-hearing on the question of cost allocation voting procedures by the New York Independent System Operator.

NYRI Attorney Len Singer advised PSC Administrative Law Judges Jeffrey Stockholm and Michelle Phillips on Friday that the private company’s investors felt that the order jeopardized NYRI’s ability to recover the costs of transmissions upgrades, thereby creating too great of a financial risk.

Judge Stockholm instructed NYRI to submit a letter of Article VII withdrawal notification by Monday, April 6, to the PSC Secretary, with copies to all of the Interested Parties in this case. NYRI must also make clear in that correspondence whether they intend to re-apply to the PSC or seek certification from FERC for this project at a future date.  

If no objections are raised to NYRI’s decision by Monday, April 13, the case will be officially closed.

The Upper Delaware Council hailed the decision by New York Regional Interconnect, Inc. (NYRI) to withdraw its application to construct a High-Voltage, Direct-Current transmission line on a 190-mile path through eight New York State counties between Marcy and Rock Tavern, NY.

NYRI counsel verbally withdrew their Article VII application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need mid-day through the 15th day of evidentiary hearings before the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) in Albany.

 “This has been a long and exhausting fight since NYRI filed its original application on May 31, 2006, but the UDC has been steadfast in its position that this proposed power line did not belong in the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor,” said UDC Executive Director William E. Douglass.