It is odd that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Riverkeeper can find good reason to back the Champlain Hudson Power Express project, a 330-mile extension cord that will export energy jobs and ratepayer dollars to Canada, but not support a deal that aims to keep jobs and protect ratepayer protections right here in New York ("Utility deal company has deceitful past," June 7).
At first, my union was opposed to the Fortis Inc.'s acquisition of Central Hudson Energy Group; however, we have come to support the plan after we were able to execute enforceable agreements and establish strong protections for union and domestic jobs.
Of all the reasons to oppose Fortis, Mr. Kennedy says, they "won't build dams in New York," and the Public Service Commission is "already overstretched." If this is his reasoning, then he should support our continued opposition to the Champlain Hudson Power Express project. They, too, will not build dams in New York, but they were able to get approvals from the PSC without the state completing its environmental impact study. I am not optimistic that Mr. Kennedy will change his position on the merger.
New York's energy future should not be written by a 1 percent perspective or the few politically connected people who disagree with sensible energy policies. The Fortis deal does a lot more for New York than the high-voltage extension cord that requires the use of eminent domain to desecrate a Revolutionary War cemetery and take America's property for Canada's benefit.
John P. Kaiser
President/Business Manager LU320 IBEW
Poughkeepsie