Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that she sent a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC), urging the PSC to consider the outpouring of local feedback as they continue to move ahead on the energy highway proposed for the region. Barrett has been a vocal advocate for the families, farmers, businesses and communities that have been put at serious risk by these proposed A/C power lines.

“Tourism, agriculture and outdoor activities are critical economic engines for this region and these power lines have the potential to seriously damage, if not destroy, those critical local industries,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “I urge the PSC to listen to the compelling concerns raised by the residents of Dutchess and Columbia counties.”

Over the past year, hundreds of local citizens have attended meetings throughout Dutchess and Columbia counties, all stressing their concerns about the impact these projects will have on homes, farms and the local economy. Despite this, a newly proposed outline appears not to have taken into consideration any of the issues raised during these meetings. One top concern is that the clear need for these power lines has not been shown and that the cost of the project, and who will ultimately pay for it, has not been clearly detailed.

Assemblymember Barrett noted that the region has already been hit by “a record-breaking winter, spiking utility costs, the threat of monster power lines, a senseless new capacity zone imposed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and a local energy tax, and shouldn’t be expected to shoulder the cost of a project that will impact their community so negatively.”

Please click here to read Assemblymember Barrett’s letter to the PSC.