Vows to Continue to Work with Regional Colleagues to Prevent Federal Override of Community Voices

Press Release

Vows to Continue to Work with Regional Colleagues to Prevent Federal Override of Community Voices

Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand commented on the recently released report from the Department of Energy regarding the designation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors in Upstate New York.

"I am extremely disappointed in the designations made by the Department of Energy," said Congresswoman Gillibrand, a Member of the Armed Services Committee. "I do not support the ability for the federal government to use eminent domain to override opposition from the State of New York and our local communities."

"I will continue to work with my colleagues to prevent this program from running roughshod over the voices of our local communities."

Congresswoman Gillibrand early on fought to increase community participation during the public-comment period. She wrote a letter to the Secretary of Energy requesting that a public hearing be held closer to the Capital Region. The two closest hearings were held in New York City and Rochester.

The Congresswoman voted for an amendment that would prevent further funding for this program as part of the Energy & Water Appropriations bill, H.R. 2641, and is a cosponsor of H.R. 809, which would strip the federal authority for using eminent domain for the construction of electric power lines.

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