Residents press town for details on Central Hudson transmission‑line replacement planned near Pleasant Valley

Pleasant Valley residents and board members discussed Central Hudson’s multiyear transmission‑line replacement project at the July 6 meeting and asked the utility to provide complete application materials and a public presentation.

The board heard that the project would replace roughly 70‑year‑old wood poles along a corridor from Rhinebeck to Poughkeepsie and install new steel structures designed to carry additional wiring for future use. The chair said the project’s main construction window appears to be several years out, with board members referring to a plausible 2027–2028 timeframe discussed by the utility.

Council members asked whether the utility’s application would address local flood‑damage prevention standards, noise from construction equipment and potential impacts to wetlands and visual or cultural resources. One council member said the state preempts certain utility siting rules but does not do so absolutely, and recommended the town request the utility’s full application materials for legal and technical review.

"They should probably ask for their full set of application materials so that we can look at that more closely," said the town attorney during the discussion, noting that some state preemption exists but local review remains relevant for certain compliance issues.

Residents and board members suggested asking the utility to present at a future meeting to explain what is planned and what local protections or mitigation measures will be in place. The board agreed to request additional documentation and to coordinate follow‑up with the town attorney and highway department as needed.

No formal action to approve or deny the project was taken at the meeting.