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THE ASSEMBLY

STATE OF NEW YORK

ALBANY

DIDI BARRETTAssemblymember 103

rdDistrict

June 26, 2012

Hon. Garry A. Brown, ChairmanNew York State Public Service Commission

Empire State Plaza, Agency Bldg. 3Albany, NY 12223-1350

Re: Case 12-T-0248: Application of New York State Electric & Gas

Corporation for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need

for the Construction of the "Columbia County Transmission Project",Approximately 11.1 Miles of 115 Kilovolt Transmission Lines and relatedfacilities in the Towns of Chatham, Ghent and Stockport, in Columbia County.

I am very proud to represent New York's 103rd District which includes theTowns of Ghent and Stockport. Both of these towns will be impacted by the above-

referenced transmission line project being advanced by New York State Electric &Gas Corporation ("NYSEG"). From my understanding, NYSEGs application for a

Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need from the New YorkPublic Service Commission has been postponed due to major discrepancies in their

filing. I thank you for addressing these concerns over their filing as my office was notnotified of their application, which you specified in your review.

The NYSEG project, which currently consists of approximately 11 miles of

above-ground transmission lines and related facilities, will cause serious disruptionsand negative economic impact to the communities within my district if this project

moves forward. Concerns include the loss of large amounts of agricultural land, theimpact to the historic and cultural resources in the area, as well as the negative visual

impacts placed on our parks, scenic areas and recreation spaces all of which contributeto the economy of Columbia County and make this the wonderful place that we call

home. This is a region that has just recently begun to see an economic resurgence

which will be severely impeded by this project.

I am especially concerned by the number of constituents from the affected area

that sat down with me to show that the proposed power lines would run directly overor next to their property. It is only fair to consider these people, many of them young

families who have only recently invested in the community, attracted to the region bythose very assets impacted by this project. I am writing to ask your agency to consider

their concerns and opinions.

COMMITTEES

Aging

Agriculture

Veterans Affairs

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It is my sincere hope that the Public Service Commission will ensure a thorough, fair

and balanced hearing of the NYSEG project once the discrepancies have been fixed on the part

of NYESG, looking at the actual need for this project versus any alternative options as well asthe negative impact on the local communities.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact either of my offices listedbelow. Thank you for your consideration in advance.

Yours truly,

cc: Patricia L. Acampora, Commissioner

Robert E. Curry, Jr., CommissionerMaureen F. Harris, Esq., Commissioner

James L. Larocca, CommissionerWilliam A. Hurst, Esq.

Koethi Zan, Executive Director, Protect GhentU.S. Congressman Chris Gibson, 20

thDistrict

NYS Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, 108th

DistrictSupervisor Larry Andrews, Town of Ghent

Supervisor Matt Murrell, Town of Stockport

ALBANY OFFICE: Room 532, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248 518-455-5177, FAX: 518-455-5418DISTRICT OFFICE: 7578 North Broadway, Suite 4, Red Hook, New York 12571 845-758-9790, FAX: 845-758-9794

EMAIL: barrettd@assembly.state.ny.us