August 10, 2011
New York

New York State coalitions join together to oppose Article X

by Carol Thompson, The Valley News, www.valleynewsonline.com 10 August 2011

Citizens and existing grassroots groups across New York State have joined together in a Coalition on Article X (COAX) to protect NYS citizens’ Constitutionally-appointed municipal rule rights, threatened by the “Power NY Act,” which was signed into law Aug. 4 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, according to Robert E. Aliasso, Jr., who serves as the co-chairman of the The Coalition for the Preservation of the Golden Crescent and 1000 Islands Region.

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.

“This law will lead to new investment and create tens of thousands of jobs across the state,” he said.”The act gives community members a voice in the siting process and will maintain New York’s position as a leader in environmental protection.”

Those opposing Article X in Oswego and neighboring counties are concerned
local planning boards will no longer have a say in the siting of wind turbines or the high-voltage power lines that a community must host to carry power to wind turbines located in other communities.

The Village of Pulaski is one community under consideration to host high-voltage transmission lines for the Galloo Island project in Jefferson County.

“COAX members are appalled that Article X was slipped into law without any discussion by our elected officials with the very New York State citizens they were elected to represent,” Aliasso said. “We find this lack of transparency to be totally unacceptable.”

Aliasso added that New York State has always prided itself on the fact that it is a Home Rule State. “Citizens can only create the kinds of communities they want to live in 20, 40, & 60 years down the road, if they are authorized and empowered to make decisions for themselves regarding what’s best for their communities.”

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


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/10/new-york-state-coalitions-join-together-to-oppose-article-x/