Supervisor Seeks Governor's Help To Stop 'Travesty' Utility Poles

Calling the situation a "travesty," East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell has 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 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 said he was advised that the town and residents were "legally time barred from appealing" under SEQRA. 

But, he said, "the lack of public participation and consideration of this project would cause the Town of East Hampton to consider legal remedies, if not for the statute of limitations governing SEQRA claims."

The governor's "immediate intervention" was requested, since the project is currently under construction. 

"This project should be built underground where the electric power serving our citizens will have the highest resiliency, and federal funding from Superstorm Sandy in the hands of New York State should be used to accomplish this."

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

PSEG media reps did not respond immediately to a request for comment.