Our state legislators have introduced legislation to ensure that what happened in Eastport doesn't happen again. Read the press release below: THIELE AND LAVALLE INTRODUCE LEGISLATION REQUIRING LIPA TO PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECTS Public Would Be Notified of Electric Transmission Line Proposals BEFORE The Determination of Environmental Significance under SEQRA August 10, 2017 - Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. and State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle have introduced legislation which would require the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to provide public notice of new, above ground electric transmission line projects BEFORE a determination of significance is made under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Under the legislation, LIPA would be required to provide notice to every county, town, and village in which the transmission line is to be constructed, each member of the state legislature where the facility is to be constructed, and every landowner within 500 feet of the proposed transmission line. The notice would include: the location of the site or right-of-way, a description of the transmission facility to be built thereon, the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement prepared for the action, pursuant to article 8 of the environmental conservation law, a summary of any studies which have been made of the environmental impact of the project and a description of such studies, a statement explaining the need for the facility, a description of any reasonable alternate location or locations for the proposed facility, a description of the comparative merits and detriments of each location submitted, and a statement of the reasons why the primary proposed location is best suited for the facility. Copies of the environmental assessment form, environmental impact statement, and studies referred to in the notice would be required to be on file with the authority for public inspection. Underground transmission line and in-kind replacements would be exempt. Thiele and LaValle introduced the legislation after several incidents across Long Island where LIPA and its agent, PSEG-LI, have created public controversies and unnecessary litigation by failing to include local communities and elected officials in their plans for the construction of electric transmission lines, most recently in Eastport. Thiele and LaValle stated, “A mistake can happen once. However, when LIPA/PSEG-LI excludes the public over and over again, it is intentional. PSEG-LI has no interest in transparency, public outreach, or the community character of the people it serves.” The State Legislators added, “The NYS Department of Public Service had promised us a ‘thoughtful approach to aesthetics and adequate advance notice of proposed projects, and that the outreach process (would be) sufficient for affected communities to fully understand the magnitude of the project, be aware of alternatives, and have a meaningful opportunity to provide input.’ Instead, they abdicated their responsibility to the public. This legislation will protect the aesthetics of our communities by allowing residents to have a say in the SEQRA process, end the reckless disregard that LIPA/PSEG-LI has shown for the public, and correct the failure of the Department of Public Service to oversee the activities of our electric company.” The bill will be pre-filed for the 2018 legislative session.