Residents appeal to legislature to oppose New York State’s Article X  

Credit:  By Carol Thompson, The Valley News, www.valleynewsonline.com 17 August 2011 ~~

Residents in the Village of Pulaski and surrounding areas have asked the Oswego County Legislature to support a resolution in opposition of the recently enacted Article X.

“I am here before your board today as a follow-up to the letter sent on Aug. 3,” Robert Aliasso, Jr. told members of the Oswego County Legislature at Thursday’s meeting. “As you are aware, New York State has taken municipal home rule away from the towns regarding the siting of energy facilities.”

The Aug. 3 letter referenced by Aliasso also asked the legislature for support for the Home Rule. Oswego County operates under the Home Rule and opponents of Article X claim the decision making in energy siting issues was taken out of the hands of local authorities and passed to the state.

“Life changing decisions regarding siting of energy facilities are now in the hands of unengaged, distant bureaucrats in Albany,” Aliasso said.

“In these uncertain economic times when we are expected to receive less federal and state support, should we be forced to surrender our planning and zoning rights that are constitutionally allowed to each municipality?” Alisasso questioned.

The law would create a one-year permitting process controlled by the state for power plant projects of 25 megawatts or more. Cuomo, in a news release, said that communities will have a say in the process, and that the measure will help improve the state’s economy.

-Look for thr full story in the Wednesday edition of the Valley News