UTICA – Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI), a coalition of counties – including Sullivan and Orange – and citizens groups opposed to the proposed NYRI power line project, has joined with the City of Utica to oppose NYRI’s request for a guaranteed rate of return of 13.5 percent filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

CARI Chairman Steven DiMeo said NYRI’s application “is an attempt to secure a guaranteed rate of return for its investors without completing the state application process and proving the validity or reliability of its project.”

He said consumers “must be protected from excessive costs generated by unneeded energy infrastructure projects.”

NYRI officials, on the other hand, have maintained the project is needed to deliver electricity to the downstate region.

The power line would run from Oneida County to Orange County.