JUST IN FROM MARK GILLILAND OF THE LORAX WORKING GROUP

Comments on Draft PSC Recommendations for Changes in TVMP Are Due Feb.
2nd

The NYS Department of Public Service staff has made a series of seven
recommendations for changes in utility transmission vegetation
management programs after reviewing the written input and public
hearing testimony collected around the state during the last year.
Many of the recommended changes are specific to O&R and Con Edison
(due to the excess of problems and issue reported in the NY Metro
region compared to state-wide), while others apply to all NYS PSC-
regulated transmission utilities: Read the detailed in the PSC notice
attached (below) as PDF.

The PSC is inviting comments from the public on these recommendations,
before they hold formal Commission hearings to discuss these
recommendations and make their decisions/findings on Case 10-E-0155.
Comments are due by Feb 2.

The GEF LORAX Working Group strongly urges local property owners,
municipal officials and other elected officials to review these
recommendations and provide feedback directly to the PSC (contact
details within the attached announcement). We believe that the draft
guidelines do not go far enough, ignoring the need for mitigation for
existing problems, and ultimately will prove insufficient to prevent a
recurrence of the same widespread issues experienced previously along
the ROWs in Westchester, Rockland and Orange Counties (and elsewhere
in the state).

Please speak up and ensure your voice continues to be heard in this
important process.