Katie Kocijanski is reporting in the Register Star National Grid held an open house Wed., Apr. 8 at the Churchtown Fire Department to hear from the public on its $1.3 billion plan to build new transmission lines from Oneida County through Dutchess County. The project is part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's New York Energy Highway initiative. Local communities impacted by the proposal include Athens, Claverack, Coxsackie, Ghent, Greenport and Livingston. National Grid is one of three power companies with proposals currently before the New York State Public Service Commission. At the open house Wednesday, Ian Solomon and Pam Kline represented Farmers and Families of Livingston and Claverack. One of their main issues is to determine if there is a true need for the power line upgrades. Kline also said residents are concerned with the possibility of eminent domain of their properties. Others are concerned about congestion and the impact the new lines will have on their property values. The Public Service Commission will hold a technical conference on the need issue in June. Residents have until April 15 to submit written comments to the commission concerning Cuomo’s New York Energy Highway project. Read the full story in the Register Star.