In late April, New York State Assemblyman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, chairman of the Assembly Energy Committee, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about Federal Authority for electric transmission line siting.

Tonko, who represents Montgomery and Schenectady counties, advocated for a reversal in provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to allow electric transmission line sitings such as the New York Regional Interconnect project, regardless of what state authorities determine is the best course of action. Farm Bureau policy does not support providing FERC with this authority.

“There is little confidence, at this moment, that federal government officials — who are far removed from the physical and socio-economic location of local proposals — will be able to fully appreciate the environmental, economic and social impact of long-range, high-voltage transmission lines,” Tonko said.

U.S. Reps. Michael A. Arcuri, D-Utica; Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley; and John Hall, D-Dover Plains, have introduced legislation that would remove FERC’s siting authority.