Just when we thought it was safe to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of upstate New York ... we received the awful news.
NYRI is back.
In truth, this editorial should probably be read with the "bump, bump ... bump, bump" theme from "Jaws" in the background.
If not the impending disaster aspect of "Jaws," perhaps any of the multitude of cheesy horror movies would be appropriate in describing New York Regional Interconnect Inc.'s nefarious plans.
If it had any sense of fairness, NYRI would go about its business wearing a hockey mask and carrying a chain saw.
For the past two-plus years, NYRI's scheme to build a massive and unnecessary electrical transmission line from Marcy in Oneida County to New Windsor in Orange County was fought by nearly every New York state office-holder and several citizen groups.
The line _ intended to provide more electrical power to New York City _ would not only have marred large tracts of upstate landscape and had a deleterious effect upon the environment, but would actually have raised electricity rates for those of us who live near where the line would have been built.
After a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruling went against NYRI in March, it withdrew its application to the state's Public Service Commission.
That was cause for much celebration throughout the area, but local groups warned that everyone should remain vigilant, because NYRI was not to be trusted.
Those suspicions turned out to be well-justified. On June 9, NYRI requested a time extension to file comments with FERC to appeal its ruling. The firm has until July 9 to provide additional comments.
Faced with stalwart and aggressive New York state opposition, NYRI is once again attempting an end-run on the federal level.
"I promised my constituents from Day One that I would remain vigilant to the tricks and underhanded attempts by NYRI to get their flawed power-line project approved against the will of the people of upstate New York,'' Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, wrote in a letter to FERC. ``The people of New York are not unfamiliar with this sort of attempted sleight of hand from NYRI, Unfortunately, NYRI refuses to accept what is obvious to everyone else _ that its project faces unanimous opposition and will not improve the transmission grid or ease congestion in New York state."
We don't know what it will take to finally kill NYRI's evil plot once and for all. A stake through the heart? Wolfbane?
Actually, the most potent solution is almost always the best:
Exposure to direct sunlight is certain to destroy the monster.
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