Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) expressed disappointment today that PSEG-LI announced its plan to request new power sources in Montauk to alleviate growing South Fork summer demand in Newsday with no prior communication with local elected officials or the community.

Thiele stated, “PSEG-LI, unencumbered by any real oversight, again has decided to undertake a major initiative on the East End without any discussion or consultation with the public or local elected officials. I was disappointed to hear from Supervisor Larry Cantwell that he only heard about this project from Newsday. This same arrogant approach led to the unnecessary public controversy with transmission lines in East Hampton Town. After that debacle, we had promised increased public involvement, but PSEG-LI has again failed to deliver.”

Thiele added that there is no doubt that the power is needed, but that PSEG-LI has failed to communicate its specific plan for the South Fork. “First, the existing peaker plants in Montauk were closed. Then, LIPA clumsily moved forward with a transmission line in East Hampton because more power was needed. Then PSEG-LI canceled a renewable wind project off of Block Island because the power was unnecessary. Now we need more power sources in the South Fork because there is not enough power.”

Thiele concluded, “PSEG-LI must involve local government and the public in this project. Siting and the use of renewable energy are key issues that must be addressed.”