New York's Senator
CHARLES E. SCHUMER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 27, 2001

SCHUMER ENDORSES NEW ROUTE FOR CROSS-SOUND CABLE

Senator Asks Army Corps of Engineers to Approve Permit Application to Expedite Construction of New Power Transmission Line for Long Island

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Army Corps of Engineers to swiftly review and approve a permit application by the Cross-Sound Cable Company that would allow the construction of the proposed Cross-Sound Cable (CSC) to proceed along a new route. The new route, which now passes through the channel in New Haven Harbor, requires approval by the Army Corps of Engineers because the federal government has jurisdiction over the navigational channel that would house the transmission line.

"Increased transmission capacity is vital to ensuring the reliability of Long Island's electric supply," Schumer wrote in a letter to Lt. General Robert B. Flowers, the Army Corps of Engineers Commander and Chief of Engineers.

The CSC project, which will connect Long Island with the New England power grid using a bi-directional cable located beneath New Haven Harbor and the Long Island Sound, would allow more than 300 megawatts of electricity to be transmitted in either direction between New Haven, Connecticut and Brookhaven, New York.

Schumer noted that the CSC project represents an important step toward aiding New York, Connecticut, and the entire Northeast develop a comprehensive regional transmission organization. "In this era of energy supply shortages and electricity generation constraints, the CSC represents a prime example of an innovative way to help solve a vital regional energy need," Schumer wrote. "This new transmission capability will provide significant assurance both to residents of Long Island and to their Connecticut neighbors that in times of energy shortages a vehicle for transmitting additional power is available."

Earlier this year, Schumer endorsed a proposed transmission line that was subsequently blocked by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who believed the project would only benefit New York and would damage oyster beds located in the Long Island Sound. In April, Schumer questioned Blumenthal's decision, pointing out that the entire project would affect just one acre of shellfish beds out of the 5,000 acres in New Haven Harbor and 80,000 acres in all of Connecticut.

After the initial proposal was blocked, the Cross-Sound Cable Company made minor alterations to the transmission route in an effort to accommodate Connecticut authorities. The inclusion of the navigational channel in the new route necessitated an additional permit application, which was filed with the Army Corps by the Cross-Sound Cable Company on June 25, 2001. If the Army Corps approves the permit application, the request then returns to the Connecticut Citing Council, which rejected the initial transmission line route. If the Connecticut Citing Council approves, the transmission line can then be built.

A copy of Schumer's letter to Lt. General Flowers is attached.

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