Statement from Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro regarding the U.S. Court of Appeals Decision on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

“Today, we learned the U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld the ill-conceived new capacity zone ordered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). We are very disappointed that the Court of Appeals has disregarded the numerous financial burdens that will be imposed on Dutchess County residents as a result of their ruling. FERC’s new capacity zone plan was hastily pushed through by unelected bureaucrats, and as a result could cost Dutchess County residents an additional $13.5 million in energy costs without any tangible benefits. Allowing this plan to go forward sets a dangerous and undemocratic precedent for how our local energy policies are decided. We must not allow local energy policy to be dictated by federal bureaucrats that are completely out of touch with our constituency. We will continue to fight against the new FERC capacity zone and will continue to advocate for the best interests of Dutchess County.”