By JIMMY LAWTON

St. Lawrence County legislators are opposing development of a Canadian electricity transmission line and calling on state and federal officials to invest in an energy highway that would allow the North Country to supply green energy to New York and New Jersey.

At a Monday meeting of the operations committee, legislators passed a resolution calling on the United States Department of Energy to reject a Canadian developer's proposal to install a 385 mile 1,000 MW cable from Quebec that would sell power in the downstate area.

The resolution says the transmission line would deny New York power generators any chance to compete in the market place.

“There are a number of reasons why importing power is bad for New York State, not the least of which are the lost opportunity for our power generation facilities having the ability to compete and retain good paying jobs; New York State losing its fuel diversity and energy independence, putting us at the mercy of supply and demand price spikes; and the abandonment of renewable energy projects that would create a significant number of green jobs,” the resolution says. “The ability to move the abundant, available power from these plants in our region to the downstate area would have a positive effect on these struggling facilities, saving hundreds of jobs, and significant tax base for our region.”

The resolution says tens of thousands of jobs in transmission construction and power generation, including renewable energy, will occur from “investing in New York State's energy infrastructure.”

“Board of Legislators supports the creation of an energy highway to promote jobs and assist businesses in the North Country and throughout New York State,” the resolution says.

Copies of this resolution will be forwarded to all North Country state representatives as well as NYPA trustees and the governor.