PSEG: New Transmission Poles Will Ensure 'Secure, Consistent, Reliable Power'

Controversy continues to swirl over new utility transmission poles in East Hampton that have the community in an uproar over their proposed height.

On Tuesday, East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell called the situation a "travesty," and called upon New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo for help to put the brakes on a plan that would site 61-foot tall transmission poles in residential and historic neighborhoods.

According to Cantwell, PSEG is constructing a six-mile-long overhead transmission line built to 33 kilovolt standards, that would replace existing 29 to 38 foot utility poles with others up to 61 feet tall.

The poles, he said, are slated to go up in residential areas and in front of historic homes and across scenic farm vistas.

The project, Cantwell said, is in direct contradiction to the Town of East Hampton's comprehensive plan and the state's approved and locally designated Scenic Areas of Statewide Significance.

According to Cantwell, the Long Island Power Authority prepared an environmental assessment for the transmission line project, which runs from East Hampton to Amagansett, declared lead agency status, and filed  a negative declaration as required by the State Environmental Quality Review Act in October.

"There was no public review of these documents or public participation in the process," the supervisor said.

Cantwell decried a lack of public participation in the project and said the town would pursue legal remedies if not for a statue of limitations based on a state environmental review.

In recent weeks, residents have raised their voices in protest, asking that the lines be buried. 

PSEG media rep Jeffrey S. Weir responded to Patch and explained that the purpose of the project was to improve reliability of services.

"The new transmission line runs from East Hampton to Amagansett to enhance reliability not only for the people of East Hampton but out to Cape Hero," he said.

After a review in 2012 and 2013, it was determined that the "stronger, taller poles would be capable of supporting new, as well as existing wires, and withstanding gale for hurricane force winds up to 130 miles per hour."

Currently, Weir said, there is only one set of poles, on a single line, from East Hampton to Amagansett, with two, 23 kilovolt transmission lines on a single tower line. "In a severe storm or high winds, if that single tower line were to go down, or is something catastrophic were to happen, there would be a complete loss of electric supply," he said.

The point of the project is to add a third transmission line, called a redundant line, to ensure East Hampton residents have "secure, consistent, reliable" power.

Weir said PSEG worked with the community, town and the village all through 2013, in Town Hall meetings and with an open house.

He added that ongoing conversations with the community and the Town and Village in early March "to continue the dialogue."

By the time the project is completed, by the summer of 2014, "the upgrade will supply increased capacity and a redundant supply of electric service," Weir said.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, New York State Senator Ken LaValle and New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele lent their voices to the issue, co-signing a letter to Commissioner Diane Burman of the New York State Department of Public Service, asking to meet and discuss the situation, to help balance utility needs with concerns of residents, without having to "resort to a legislative solution."