PSEG Underground Electric Project Continues to Spark Concerns

GREENPORT, NY — Greenport residents brought their concerns over a controversial PSEG underline electric cable project to the village board meeting Thursday night.

In November, after months of deliberation and protests from the public, the Greenport village board decided to move forward with a PSEG underline electric cable project from Greenport to Shelter Island many residents believe could pose health, environmental and quality of life concerns.

According to Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard, the board met in executive session and decided that the benefits to the village, including a backup power cable, were "crucial."

In addition, PSEG has agreed to another $300,000 over the initial $1.2 million discussed, that Greenport would receive for the deal, Hubbard said.

"The board wants to move this project forward," Hubbard said, in November.

For months, a sea of residents, largely from Fifth Street,has protested the plan, citing safety, quality of life, and environmental concerns.

On Thursday, Hubbard kicked off the public comment section of the meeting by noting that, as per Trustee Doug Roberts' suggestion, the first portion of each public discussion would be devoted to the PSEG topic.

Hubbard said the board had met, along with Village Attorney Joe Prokop, to discuss a document that includes residents' request and concerns; the document, he said, will be sent to PSEG for review before a contract is signed.

Other new developments include hiring Cashin Associates P.C. as an outside consultant for the state environmental review — and hiring Jonathan Sinnreich as legal counsel to assist Prokop with the contract, as a second opinion in the process, Hubbard said.

Roberts said he'd like Sinnreich to report directly to the board with his findings.

Sinnreich, Hubbard said, has expertise from having served on the LIPA board.

Residents expressed a range of concerns.

Fifth Street resident Ralph Edwards said he and others would like a specific timeline for the project, as well as specifics and detailed plans. "We would love to see more information," he said.

He added that comments and feedback from residents are critical, and time must be given for that feedback to be collected and evaluated.

Edwards embraced the hiring of outside counsel. "We all believe hiring an attorney is a fantastic idea," he said. "It's something you should be applauded for."

He added that any funds garnered should be used for ongoing maintenance of the Fifth Street Park, "a true asset" to the community. Those funds should be used for maintenance and repair, he said.

Resident Bill Swiskey asked if the document discussed was a finalized contract. Hubbard assured the board had signed nothing and the document was a contract draft, "one readable document" that had gone over, line by line, to incorporate the views of the board and the views of the public that was going to be presented to PSEG.

"We needed to know we are all on the same page with what we've heard from the public," Hubbard said.

Resident Dena Zemsky asked why blue lines were already being drawn on Fifth Street, with some on her private lawn.

Hubbard said the village authorized surveying so a draft working document could be created but no work was supposed to take place on private property; Roberts said the blue lines indicate where water lines and valves are located underground.

Zemsky asked, again, for an escrow fund, so if any damage was done to private properties, homeowners would not have to wait years for reimbursement from insurance companies.

Sarah Edwards of Fifth Street also asked for "concrete dates."

Hubbard said the document would be reviewed at February's village board work session, with no vote taken before the March or April meeting. "We don't want to rush anyone," he said.

Fifth Street resident Chris McShea, who has long voiced his opposition to the project, citing health and safety concerns and asking why other locations were not considered, spoke out again — the project, he believes, should not be sited on a residential street so near the park.

McShea said he attended a meeting with PSEG officials in Uniondale last week and spoke with John O'Connell, Vice President of Transmission and Distribution for PSEG Long Island.

"He listened to me. It made a world of difference," McShea said.

McShea said he was told by O'Connell that another village meeting would be organized; McShea asked O'Connell to go to Fourth Street "and take a look, and give me solid information on why we can't use that block or anywhere else in the village. Why does it need to be where it is?"

McShea said he can't understand why the project is moving forward so near the park and at a place where osprey nests can't be disturbed. He called out for information. "This whole thing really needs to slow down. We keep getting told we'll see something, but we haven't seen anything. You're not really sharing with us. I wouldn't say it's deceptiveness, but you're just not very forthcoming with information to residents."

Hubbard said O'Connell has not yet contacted him but he looked forward to meeting with him. The mayor added that the Fifth Street location was chosen because it represented a straight location, from Point A to Point B, from Greenport to Shelter Island. "That's why they picked that location from the map," he said. He added that the end of Fourth Street did not allow enough room for the project.

"PSEG Long Island’s mission is to provide the customers of Greenport and Shelter Island with safe, reliable and resilient power while minimizing the impact to all customers,” said Elizabeth Flagler, PSEG Long Island spokesperson.

Patch screen shot of meeting.