A meeting of citizens concerned about the expansion of power lines through Claverack was held on Saturday (Jan 25) at the Churchtown firehouse. Area politicians and concerned citizens expressed their opposition to the plan. The project, part of Governor Cuomo's proposed Energy Highway, is a kick in the shins to Claverack and surrounding towns.  There are better ways to deliver more energy to New York City without taking people's land and causing irreparable harm to local farmers, property values, and historic homes.

The Claverack Town Board recently passed a resolution expressing our opposition to this project.  We believe that there are better options for the expansion of power lines, such as burying them underground, instead of new above ground lines that require additional lands. We are supportive of the efforts of Farmers and Families for Claverack and I want to thank them for their ongoing efforts to get information out to the public on this issue. As a town board we are 100% behind their efforts. We need to continue to work together to make sure the State knows that this is not just one town or a group of landowners that are concerned, but that this project is about the entire Hudson Valley. I look forward to working with my colleagues in other towns and the county to make sure our voices are heard. I encourage all Claverack residents to write letters to the Public Service Commission and get your neighbors, friends, and families to do the same. I encourage all of you to contact me, or any town board member, about this project.  We are fighting a Goliath on this project, but there are a hell of a lot of David’s in this town working with us to oppose it.

A community meeting to discuss Governor Cuomo's high voltage power line project has been scheduled for Saturday January 25th, 11:00 AM, at the Churchtown firehouse.  The meeting has been organized by the grassroots group Farmers and Families for Claverack.

For those not familiar with this project, at least one of the proposals being considered would stretch new high voltage power lines right down the west side of our town, transecting the hamlet. The project would seize property by eminent domain, negatively affect homes and businesses, destroy rich farmland, and negatively affect property values. The energy these lines would carry will not serve Claverack, or Columbia County for that matter, in any way. The intent is to deliver more electricity to New York City.

There are better ways to accomplish this project's stated purpose, than that which has been proposed. We shouldn't be asked to pay for someone else's energy. The Town of Claverack has already passed a resolution opposing this project, as have many other municipalities.  Please make your voice heard on this important issue and ask Governor Cuomo to find a less invasive and less destructive way of accomplishing his energy highway.

Was very pleased we were able to unanimously approve a resolution last night that formally opposes plans to stretch new high voltage power lines through our town. This project, part of Governor Cuomo's "New York State Energy Highway" plan, would have a direct impact on several of our home owners, farmers, historical homes, and small businesses. The project would cause property values to fall and negatively affect our tax base. The full text of the resolution is available here.

For those of you who weren't able to make the informational meeting in Livingston on Friday about the Governor's proposed expansion of high-voltage power lines through Columbia County, including Claverack, Lance Wheeler has made available two video clips of the evening's speakers. We've put them up on the website for your convenience. Click here.

I attended the informational meeting in Livingston on Friday about Governor Cuomo's proposed expansion of high-voltage power lines that would cross through towns in Columbia County - including Claverack. The meeting, held at the Livingston Town Highway Garage, was standing room only and very informative. Several residents and officials voiced strong concern and objection to the proposal to expand the existing right-of-way 125', all in an effort to hang new high-voltage lines (tripling the existing voltage output) to feed the growing electrical demands of New York City. There are better, far less harmful, ways of accomplishing this goal. We will, as a Town, fight to protect our residents and community against this proposal.