Residents Raise Concerns Over Proposed PSEG Cable Project; Village Takes Lead in Environmental Review

GREENPORT, NY — A group of residents turned out Wednesday night at the Fifth Street beach to raise concerns about a proposed PSEG underline electric cable project from Greenport to Shelter Island they say could pose health, environmental and quality of life concerns.

Residents were passionate, with the majority voicing the shared belief that they'd rather see raised taxes than to allow the project to proceed. Others say they need additional information.

Greenport Mayor George Hubbard began the informal gathering, with residents seated at a picnic table overlooking the water, by explaining the project and stating that proceeds from the project, approximately $1.2 million, the same amount as a year's village budget, could help fund much-needed capital projects such as road repairs, park improvements and other necessary work.

In addition, should the project commence, PSEG would pave Fifth Street, and provide backup power to the village.

"We are capital poor," added Village Trustee Doug Roberts, adding that road ends need attention as the bay is being polluted.

Others said the $1.2 million proposed was far too low of a payment. "That's peanuts," one man said. "We could all get that much in a year by panhandling."

Residents asked why Shelter Island could not just build its own substation. Hubbard said the responsibility to provide power to Shelter Island residents lies with PSEG. "I've got no skin in the game," he said.

Roberts said there's only a draft agreement at this point and once details are finalized, that draft will be shared with the public.

Outraged residents said a PSEG contractor had already begun marking up Fifth Street; the angry crowd asked about exactly how much trenching and digging will take place.

Others asked if the exposure to the electric cable could pose significant health risks to their children. "All that magnetic energy, that's a lot of power," one man said.

Some asked about a timeline. Hubbard said the project is slated to last three months. "They have 90 days to finish the whole thing," he said, adding that a penalty of $5,000 per day could be imposed if the project went longer.

The project would involve drilling a tunnel with two tubes ultimately installed, he said; only one tube is proposed for initial use.

Currently, Hubbard said, PSEG is paying $850,000 per year for generators.

Resident Maritza Budet said a list should be created of "deal breakers," such as environmental risks to children, that would put the brakes on the plan.

Others expressed fears over the noise and upset to quality of life as the construction kicks off.

"I understand all your pain," Hubbard said, adding that he had to look at the overall picture and how the funding could positively impact other residents who are hoping for road repairs. But, he said, if someone offers more than $1 million to rent the beach for three months, he has an obligation to look at the proposal.

"You don't sell your soul for money," said resident Bill Swiskey, who added that he wanted village trustees on the negotiating committee.

"If everyone is opposed to this, we can just walk away. None of us wants to do something to damage the environment. We've spent no money on it," Hubbard said.

No action taken yet

The village board will hold a special meeting Thursday to discuss the project; no action will be taken, Hubbard said. He reiterated that no action has been taken. "No one has signed anything yet," he said

Residents said Shelter Island, which does not want a generator, should come up with their own solution.

"The Shelter Island supervisor is saying you must supply power, and that's PSEG's problem," Hubbard said.

Other said if revenue is needed, perhaps the village should explore a suggestion made often by Swiskey and Mike Osinski, to impose a $1 surcharge on cars traveling to and from Shelter Island on the North Ferry.

Hubbard said Village Attorney Joe Prokop was sending a letter to the New York State Attorney General for a legal interpretation.

Other said the financial benefits should not be discounted. "There is an opportunity here and we shouldn't throw it away," said John Winkler. "We are part of a community and we should all be rewarded by the benefits, not be here with pitch forks."

He said the insight of professionals was critical in the environmental review. "Right now, everyone is afraid and I don't blame them, but we need the professionals."

An environmental review won't take into account the drilling, Swiskey said.

Hubbard said the long term health affects need to be investigated. "I have four kids, seven grandkids. If it was going to impact my family, I would not do it. If I hear that, it's done," he said.

Some said if the project is to be considered, the base line offer needs to be upped, even doubled.

Residents decry project at village board meeting

At last week's village board meeting, the public also decried the project.

The Osinksis said the project, if it took place in the winter, would disrupt their busiest season; they asked about the potential impacts.

Hubbard reminded there were two other instances when PSEG tried to install a line and failed.

"All they have to do is put up a substation on Shelter Island, but they refuse. They want to bring it here," one resident said. "They dangle some money to get you on the hook. We don't need to be the patsy for the South Fork or Shelter Island. They're looking at us as a poor stepchild and waving some money at us."

Diane Walden added: "You all look like a bunch of asses because of your interest in Shelter Island." She added that no one has reached out to her, and she's going to be "really impacted" since she lives eight houses away from the work. She said she would like to discuss the possible economic impacts and all repercussions and gave the board her phone number.

Hubbard said the issue has been written about in the local media for months.

Swiskey asked why the information thus far has not been shared with the public but instead, with the village administrator and clerk, who do not live in the village.

"I'm tired of being a patsy for the people of Shelter Island," Swiskey said. "I"m not going to bend down for Shelter Island."

Swiskey asked Hubbard, "Who are you, the mayor of Shelter Island or Greenport?"

"You're really going to ask me that?" the mayor responded. "I"m the mayor of Greenport." To those who suggest he cares only about Shelter Island, Hubbard said, "That's a total bunch of crap. I've lived my entire life in this village and all I care about is this village."

The board said one recent media report that said the project was ready to commence was incorrect, and nothing had been signed.

Trustee Julia Robins said Shelter Island residents "are our neighbors" and the profits from the project could mean a "big gain for this village."

Lead Agency Vote

Roberts urged the board to vote to take lead agency status in the environmental review. He said after research, he'd learned that PSEG is spending $850,000 to power Shelter Island in the summer.

Taking lead agency status would protect the village, Roberts said.

"We have to keep control while we have it," he said, adding that the clock was ticking and as of Sept. 17, if nothing was done, PSEG would have lead agency status.

The board voted unanimously to adopt lead agency status, and if PSEG declares the same, the matter will be taken to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which might adopt lead agency itself.

"PSEG Long Island is committed to providing safe, reliable and resilient service to all of our customers, including those on Shelter Island," said Elizabeth Flagler, media relations specialist for PSEG Long Island, after the village board vote.

"Together with the Long Island Power Authority, we are confident that we will be able to work with the Village of Greenport on any concerns that they have regarding the SEQRA process and will continue to respect and protect the interests of the Village and its residents. As always, we will work closely with the Village, its residents, and the local communities along the project route, providing them with the information they seek and addressing any concerns that they may have related to the project," Flagler said.

Residents Outraged to See Street Markup Begin

The day after the village board vote, residents were outraged to see a PSEG contractor out marking up the street.

Beth Allen reported seeing a Soft Dig vehicle out on the street; workers said they were just "doing their job."

Allen was livid.

"I feel very angry about it. I have lived her since 1978. Like the rest of the people on this street, we put up with a lot. We're the conduit to the beach," she said.

Allen, 76, said the work would impede emergency vehicles from reaching some homes and disrupt quality of life.

She also questioned Hubbard, who works on Shelter Island.. "I'm not making any accusations. I'm merely saying it is an issue," she said, asking why information was not more expeditiously disseminated to the public.

Hubbard said the board of trustees, as a whole, made up the proposal for PSEG. "This is not something I did myself," he said. "Just because I work on Shelter Island, that has nothing to do with it. PSEG is obligated to give me power, where my business is, just like any other person. I have nothing to gain. I'm a customer like anyone else."

He added that not one board member has said the village should not discuss the project. "It's not one person against the village. If it's beneficial, it will happen," he said. "If we can get safeguards in place for the public, the project won't happen. I have no personal stake in the game. I'm trying to generate some revenue for the village, that's my only interest. But if we decided to walk away right now, it wouldn't bother me at all."

Roberts added, of the lead agency vote, "Mayor Hubbard has been fighting for the village, not Shelter Island, in his negotiations with PSEG. They were pressuring him to fast-track the SEQR process, trying to convince him that we didn't have the resources to be the lead agency when, in fact, they are simply going to outsource the process just like we will. I did what I thought I had to do to protect the village and support the Mayor in his efforts to negotiate the best possible deal for us."

He added, "Shelter Island is a great place with great people. I want them to have access to reliable power. But if they refuse to solve their own problem and want our help, they and/or PSEG just need to pay fair market value for that help. . . PSEG needs to play ball and sit down at the table with us as partners, not try to railroad us. . . PSEG does not live here, they don't grow shellfish here, their kids don't swim in our waters. They want to park a drill on our property, drill under our beach for three months and cut up our streets."