Those recently criticizing Town of Caroline’s Resolution supporting the Auburn Transmission Upgrades and opposing re-powering the Cayuga Power Plant want to have it both ways.  They want ratepayers, the vast majority of whom live outside of Lansing, in Caroline, Dryden, Ulysses and many other places, to continue to pay to keep the inefficient, privately owned, barely operational plant going, at increased rates to individuals and businesses, for at least 10 years into the future.

At the same time, they argue that Town Boards representing these ratepayers should not have a say about whether or not the plant gets re-powered. There is no shortage of power in the region. The transmission upgrades are a much less expensive option and will be necessary even if the power plant stays open.  Most importantly, many of us are concerned about the environmental impacts of keeping the plant open.


I applaud the Town of Caroline Board for passing this resolution, as have the Towns of Dryden and Ulysses passed similar resolutions. Lansing officials may want to keep the power plant running, but trying to stifle divergent opinions on this important matter is not going to work.

Pat Dubin    
Town of Caroline
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