NORWICH – Apparently, as New York Regional Interconnect Inc.’s project goes, so does their assumed ownership of development rights on railroad access.
In a letter recently written to New York Senator Charles Schumer, <a href="http://www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI</a> President Richard Muddiman states, “NYRI has acquired transmission line development rights from the Norfolk Southern for their right of way.”
When asked if NYRI had secured its right of ways, officials from the Norfolk Southern Corporation whose railroad NYRI plans to use downstate, said the deal is yet to be sealed.
“Not quite,” said Norfolk Southern spokesperson Rudy Husband. “They have a lease with us, but the project still has to receive regulatory approval.”
Husband added that if approved, the project would also have to conform to Norfolk Southern’s engineering and construction standards.
An official with the New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad had a similar response regarding the right of way deal with the pending private transmission company.
“It’s contingent on NYRI receiving all the necessary permits and approvals from the PSC (Public Service Commission),” said Thomas O’Neil, a spokesperson for the railroad. “I’m sure that agreement will be looked at as part of the review process.”
O’Neil would not go into detail on the deal’s specifics, but he did confirm that the NYS&W has received the lawsuit filed against them by the City of Utica a few weeks ago, contending their agreement with <a href="http://www.evesun.com/topics/news/NYRI/">NYRI</a> is illegal. O’Neil said the railroad has not had a chance to review the lawsuit.
The NYS&W rights of way for the power line would cover the route from the City of Utica to just Woods Corners, northeast of Norwich. Under a PILOT agreement, the NYS&W property in Chenango County is currently deeded to the county’s Industrial Development Agency, in exchange for tax exemption. According to the IDA attorney James Downey, the railroad has not contacted his clients regarding any right of way easements.
