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The Caroline Town Board voted unanimously August 12th to pass a resolution opposing the repowering of the Cayuga Power Plant and supporting upgrading of transmission lines.  Caroline officials said that burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change.  But Lansing legislators had a different take on the Caroline vote.  Former Lansing Councilwoman Connie Wilcox told the Lansing board Wednesday that she was appalled by the Caroline vote.

"I don't think you, as a board, has taken a vote on what should go on in somebody else's town," she said.  "The Town of Caroline unanimously voted last week that the power plant should be closed.  I have to commend you that you don't get involved in everybody else's business.  I think it is very unprofessional.  It's like when the city council votes to condemn the war in Iraq.  What purpose does it serve?"

The Caroline vote has stepped up enmity between Lansing and Caroline.  Board members agreed with Wilcox that Caroline had legislated beyond its boundaries.

"That's twice that town has put their nose in our business," said Councilman Robert Cree.

The first time was in July of 2013.  The grant to bring broadband Internet service to most of Tompkins County had just been awarded, but the topography of the Caroline was deemed too difficult, making it too expensive to bring the service there.  There was a drive to convince neighboring communities to pledge up to $6,000 each to pay for infrastructure in Caroline.  Prominent Lansing residents recommended the Lansing Town Board approve the pledge, which they did.

On July 9, 2013 the Caroline Town Board voted to oppose repowering the plant with natural gas, the only plan the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) is considering short of closing the plant entirely.  A resolution was proposed by Caroline Supervisor Don Barber and passed by the board.
 
"BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Caroline urges the NYS Public Service Commission to enact the NYS Energy Policy and only approve future electricity generation from renewable sources of energy in order to meet climate change goals and to not expand the need for natural gas and other fossil fuels, and further
 
"BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Caroline is strongly opposed to using sources of fossil fuel energy, such as goal and natural gas, to repower the Cayuga Power Plant."

The resolution was passed 3-1 with Barber, and council members Dominic Frongillo,  and Irene Weiser voting yes and council members Linda Adams and Aaron Snow opposing.

Lansing council members were stunned.  At a time when the Lansing board has been split on many issues, they were unanimous in their outrage at statements made by neighboring legislators at the town and county levels, and especially Caroline after Lansing had just voted to assist that community.  Wilcox urged withdrawing from the Tompkins County Council of Governments and taking back the pledge.  The Lansing board unanimously voted to rescind their Broadband pledge. 

Wilcox surmised at Wednesday's meeting that state officials are waiting for the controversy to dissipate somewhat before deciding to repower the plant.  Miller concurred, noting that Caroline has many vocal people who oppose the plant.

"I am sure that they're hoping that it influences someone higher up," Miller said.  "(If the PSC approves repowering) they'll picket.  They'll probably have to have police up there.  I can't imagine what will go on if they decide to repower that plant."

That already happened in July of 2013 when about 65 protesters marched in protest on the Cayuga Power Plant.  Tompkins County Deputy Sheriffs blocked the entrance to the power plant, while other deputies monitored the protest rally on a side road overlooking the coal storage area.

Miller said that NYSEG's going forward with a gas distribution line from Freeville to Lansing to service Warren Road and surrounding areas may be on hold pending the PSC decision on the power plant.  She has been a supporter of the gas line because it will support businesses and development in Lansing, which is close to the limit of its existing natural gas supply.  But Dryden residents along the proposed route have opposed the project.

"I think NYSEG is waiting on the disposition of the power plant before they push for the gas distribution line," she said.

Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler told the Board that with continued opposition elsewhere in the county, Lansing legislators should be actively calling Albany, including the Governor's office, the PSC, Senator Mike Nozzolio who supports repowering, and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton who doesn't, to state their case.

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