Rabbitt pledges to oppose high-voltage power lines

Goshen —Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt renewed her call for New York Regional Interconnection to abandon its “poorly thought out” plan to run high-voltage power lines from Utica to New Windsor, in an effort to channel energy to power-hungry New York City from upstate. “In May, I announced my opposition to this costly project stating that NYRI needs to go back to the drawing board,” Rabbitt said in a press release. “To date they have failed to alter their plans or even address the concerns of the constituents in my Assembly district. This is unacceptable.” NYRI wants to construct high-voltage power lines along a 200-mile stretch of land, in hopes to stabilize New York City’s unstable power grid. High-voltage lines would be strung on pylons 85 to 135 feet high, at a cost of about $1 billion. The firm argues the project would reduce local energy costs and avert future rolling blackouts for city residents. Rabbitt said that the power lines would destroy many of Orange County’s pristine landscapes, require the seizing of property via eminent domain and reduce property values. She suggests that if the power lines are built the route needs to be changed or placed underground in residential areas. She has expressed her concerns, and those of her constituents, in letters to both the governor and the state Public Service Commission. “This is a classic example of certain companies and some lawmakers placating to New York City, at the expense of upstate residents,” said Rabbitt. “I pledge to work with my federal and state colleagues, including our new governor, to make certain that the opposition voiced by residents in Orange County is heard loud and clear.”