ALBANY - The New York State Public Service Commission officially dismissed the application of the New York Regional Interconnect, Inc. (NYRI) to build a 190-mile transmission line from upstate to downstate New York, and furthermore stated that a new application must be filed if NYRI seeks to pursue its project.

The line would have run along a short stretch of the upper Delaware River, across from Wayne County.  Earlier alternatives would have had even more of the line close to the river, and one very early plan would have even brought the line into Pennsylvania, for a short stretch.

Many Pennsylvania residents, and officials, joined the widespread opposition that evolved in New York State.

More than 2,000 people attended the 13 public hearings, and more than 300 public statements were made. In addition, more than 2,600 letters and e-mails from the public were received.

On April 3, 2009, counsel for NYRI announced that its investors had decided the financial risks of cost recovery were too great as a result of a Federal Regulatory Commission denial of rehearing with respect to the Congestion Analysis and Resource Integration Study process of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO). As a result, the investors were withdrawing their Article VII application. On April 8, 2009, NYRI submitted a letter confirming it had withdrawn its Article VII application.

On April 13, 2009, responses to NYRI’s announcement and letters were filed by the NYISO; Communities Against Regional Interconnect; the New York State Department of Transportation; the New York State Department of Public Service Staff; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets; Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation; the New York Power Authority; and the New York Attorney General’s Office.

Dismissal of the application with prejudice and requiring a new application for any future pursuit of the project makes the various requests for a decision on the merits and resolution of various evidentiary requests irrelevant.