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Brian Adey
 798-5800

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today said he will lead a conference call of county officials next week to build a regional coalition against the proposed New York Region Interconnect power line from Marcy to New Windsor.

“We are in a fight now to defend hundreds of miles of Upstate New York, thousands of people and businesses, and our environment against a project that threatens to trample on our region,” Griffo said. “This is a regional proposal and it will take regional leadership for our area to work with other areas and defeat this proposal.”

Griffo said his Monday conference call with leaders in other New York state counties being impacted by the line is being facilitated by the New York State Association of Counties. “Because Oneida County has a proven record of leadership on behalf of the counties, NYSAC is willing to help us reach out in this effort, even though it is remaining neutral on the issue,” Griffo said. “The call is a chance for all the counties to bring their efforts into one large effort, coordinate activities and citizen activists, and work as a team to protect the people we all serve. I have been in touch with state and federal officials on this project, and I want to share strategies and ideas with other counties.”

Griffo said the BRAC process showed the merits of coordinated regional leadership. “There is tremendous power in unity. There is tremendous strength when an entire region is speaking,” Griffo said. “For every person who has spoken out against this project, there are a thousand more impacted in other areas. We need to speak to the state and federal governments with one voice that is so loud and so clear, we cannot be ignored.”

Griffo’s regional effort follows a meeting scheduled for Friday in his office to coordinate efforts among Oneida County communities. “There is no longer any question that the people of this area are opposed to this project. The time for talk is over. Now, we need to act and we need to act in a coordinated fashion to maximize our energies and partnerships. When it became clear to me this project had no benefits for our communities, I acted to bring leaders together so we can act as a team,” Griffo said.

Griffo also noted that many area residents have already participated in his effort to block the line by downloading and distributing petitions that are available on line at Oneida County’s Web Site, www.ocgov.net. Griffo said area residents can print out the petitions, gather signatures and return them to his office so that they can be submitted to state and federal officials.

“We are in a fight, but it is a fight we can win if we work hard and remain united,” Griffo said. “I applaud the actions of our state representatives to join our efforts. Our area has won battles before, and if we work hard and work as a team, we can win again.”

Griffo said that the county is still reviewing legal options to block the line.