William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman the effort of Champlain Hudson Power Express to lay a 1,250-megawatt electric transmission line in the Hudson River has received objections from seven municipalities in Ulster and Dutchess counties concerned about potential harm to their water systems. Rhinebeck Village Mayor Gary Bassett said last week that talks over who would oversee testing and monitoring in advance of jet-plowing a trench in the Hudson River bottom have reached an impasse. The Hudson 7, a group of municipalities that draw their drinking water from the Hudson River include the town of Esopus, the town and village of Rhinebeck, the town and city of Poughkeepsie, and the towns of Lloyd and Hyde Park. Their water systems serve a total of 100,000 combined customers. Champlain Hudson Power Express has defended its use of jet plowing as a way to keep sediment from spreading when creating a seven-foot-wide trench in the river to lay a power line. Bassett said other significant disagreements were over how many harmful substances would be included in the tests, and over monitoring of the tests. Champlain Hudson Power Express officials said details are still being finalized. The company’s statement said state and Dutchess County health officials have been involved in discussions about the water intakes. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.