Labor leaders call for approval of new power lines

NEWBURGH – Construction labor leaders in the Hudson Valley, Tuesday, called for community support for the construction of two power lines – the Champlain Hudson Power Express and Clear Path New York.

The building trades officials emphasized what they said was the urgency of community backing for approval of the lines.

 The underground electric lines, powered by solar, wind and hydroelectric, would bring electric power from Quebec, Canada on a route that goes from Canada to Catskill, to Ulster, Orange, Rockland and Queens counties and reduce the region’s fossil fuel use for electricity by more than 80 percent by 2030.  It could power more than one million New York homes with renewable power, and without marring New York’s scenic views as it passes through upstate New York, Orange and Rockland counties to New York City via underground lines, where 90 percent of power is currently supplied by fossil fuels.