New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI), a privately held company, plans to run 200 miles of 13-story high-voltage power lines through our countryside, our towns and our homes. We're calling on you, residents from Marcy to New Windsor, to take 5 minutes a day to stop NYRI. Working closely with legislators and the groups spearheading the Stop NYRI initiative, we will get an organized, prioritized agenda out to you, and in turn, make it easy for you to act instantly on the most timely issues. And here's what you can do today.... How this will affect you. Just joining us? Here's a list of additional things you can do today. Where we are in the fight Find out if your town is on one of NYRI's routes. Where your elected representatives stand and how to contact them. Help us to spread the word in your area. Maps, news and other great anti-NYRI links. Our goal and how we plan to reach it At stake for the region | At stake for the nation Our scenic—and quiet—landscape destroyed 1. The towers will be well above the tree line and visible for many miles—up to 180 feet on the river (that's 30 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty 1 ) and 83 feet on the pipeline. 2. Construction will require clear cutting 200 miles of federally protected park land and private property. The width of the path? 125 feet with an additional 1/8 mile of "wiggle room" on both sides (the length of 4 and a half football fields). 3. The lines will emit a constant 40 to 50 decibels of sound 1  (equal to the sound of continuous light traffic) 2 Economic losses 1. The economy of our region is fragile and dependent upon revenue from tourism (fishing, boating, summer camps) and second homeowners. If the scenic landscape that attracts these groups is destroyed, revenues will decline dramatically, far outweighing whatever compensation NYRI offers to individual communities. 2. Studies show that values for properties near where high-voltage tower lines are installed decrease by as much as 50 percent. 1  Decreases of this magnitude will drastically reduce property tax revenues 2,  which, in turn, will lead to decreased services for municipalities and schools that depend on property-based taxes. 3. Studies predict that electric costs in upstate New York will actually rise about 5 percent if the electricity from here is transported downstate on the NYRI line as planned. Health hazards 1. The lines will emit massive electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that credentialed scientists believe may cause cancer in adults and leukemia in children. 1   2  2. EMFs are also known to damage pacemakers. Safety risks 1. The lines will transmit 800,000v high-voltage direct current (HVDC) (400,000 HVDC per line, two lines per tower). If a cable fell, it would shut off in 1/3 of a second—but still be the equivalent of 40 to 60 lightning strikes. In the river that could be quite a fish-fry; or near a gas leak. . . 1 2. NYRI claims that there are no known instances of a DC cable blowing down in a hurricane or a tornado, but the UDPC's Troy Bystrom says that there is a case of strong winds (which our region is known for) causing cables to PULL a tower down. 3. Stop the Powerlines asked a NYRI rep at one meeting what would happen if a train derailed and hit a pole. He said that it wouldn't happen, because "trains don't go very far off the tracks when they derail." This is news to anyone who saw pictures of any of Norfolk-Southern's recent derailments. The NYRI rep also said that derailments were "rare," but there was one just this year on the NS line and one on May 30 on the NY Susquehanna & Western. 4. There is evidence that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from the power lines may corrode the metal in the Columbia gas pipeline if it is within close proximity. 1 Environmental damage 1. NYRI claims the project will take 4 years to complete. Four years of dynamite blasting, noisy diesel cranes and general commotion will displace wildlife, including eagles, perhaps forever. 2. Scientists also believe that EMFs may disorient birds that navigate via magnetic fields and sterilize eagles.

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