the anti-nyri folks respond

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News from STOP NYRI Citizens Groups

For more information: Troy Bystrom, Upper Delaware Preservation
Coalition 917-359-4774, ud...@udpc.net

NYRI's "Green" Leaf Can't Cover Up Negative Impact of Project

UPSTATE, NY -- (02/28/2007; 2050)(EIS) -- The Upper Delaware
Preservation Coalition, STOP NYRI, Inc., SayNo2NYRI and the Upstate NY
Citizens Alliance dispute NYRI's claims regarding the environmental
benefits of its transmission line project. Those claims are misleading
at best; at worst, they are dishonest.

In a recent media campaign contrived to generate support for its
project, NYRI claims that it is an "environmentally friendly" company.
However, unprecedented environmental, economic and community damage
will result from the construction of a high-voltage power line through
sensitive cultural, historic, environmental areas.

Pat Carullo, President of UDPC stated, "It is important for citizens
to insist on intelligent energy use and to preserve our valuable
cultural, historic and environmental resources."

Despite NYRI rhetoric, the proposed project will have the following
effects on upstate New York.

-- The NYRI project will result in higher electric prices for
residents and businesses in an economically depressed upstate New
York.

-- NYRI has repeatedly stated it will use eminent domain to take
private lands and homes. In fact, NYRI is currently challenging New
York State legislation that removed the power of eminent domain from
NYRI, in Federal Court.

-- Many of the most valuable archaeological, cultural, historic and
environmental resources in central and upstate New York will be
damaged by the construction of the NYRI project.

-- Building a 1200 MW power line above one of the busiest New York
City commuter railroads, running between Port Jervis and Campbell
Hall, could create a public safety hazard and line maintenance issues.

-- NYRI's alternate route would follow the banks of the Upper Delaware
River and result in yearly losses to the local economy based on
tourism.

-- NYRI's statement that this is a "green" power line is misleading.
If interconnected with the grid, NYRI would not be able to prevent
electricity generated from "dirty" generating plants from passing over
this line.

The CEO of NYRI, Richard Muddiman, has not made a public statement or
appearance in association with this project. Who and where is Richard
Muddiman? Is this just another Enron? Is it wise to trust our energy
independence to a group of foreign investors?

>From NYRI's submitted Public Service Commission application the
project would:

-- Cross several scenic byways and historic trails, affect 7 counties,
1 city, 7 villages and 30 towns. It would run through children's
camps, past schools and playgrounds and through the heart of 2 towns.
It would bisect or be adjacent to 66 historic properties and 265
archeological sites.

-- Impact 65 miles of farm land, 70.5 miles of forest lands, 52.4
miles of brush lands, 154 streams and rivers, 64 trout streams, 5
state regulated wet lands, 37 federal wetlands and protected Wild and
Scenic River areas which contain endangered species like the American
Bald Eagle and Timber Rattlesnake.

When asked about the NYRI project Chris Rossi from STOP NYRI, Inc.
responded, "When you look at all the negative impacts of this project
and the fact there are no real benefits to upstate New York, this
project should not be built. Not here. Not now. Not Ever!"

New York State energy policy should require stricter energy efficiency
standards, conservation, demand-side management and upgrading current
lines prior to considering construction of new transmission
facilities.

For more information please visit www.stopnyri.info, www.udpc.net,
www.sayno2nyri.com and www.upstatenycitizensalliance.com.

For more information contact:

Troy Bystrom, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, 917-359-4774,
ud...@udpc.net www.udpc.net

Chris Rossi, Stop NYRI, Inc., 315-691-5353, chris...@yahoo.com,
www.stopnyri.info

Gail Heatherly, SayNo2NYRI, 845-386-2872,ga...@SayNo2NYRI.com, www.sayno2nyri.com

Marina Latella, Upstate NY Citizens Alliance, 315-794-0788,
runn...@msn.com, www.upstatenycitizensalliance.com