Scranton – A group of 11 environmental organizations, including Catskill Mountainkeeper, Thursday announced it would file a lawsuit against the US Energy Department over it final designation of a Mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor.

That designation could pave the way for construction of the New York Regional Interconnection power line from Oneida County to Orange County. 

The line, which could run along a portion of the Delaware River, has drawn opposition in northeast Pennsylvania.  Environmental groups, municipalities and residents up and down the proposed NRYI route oppose the project.

The National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designation would allow it to exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire property.

Wes Gillingham is program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “These corridors amount to a handover of states’ rights to the private interests of power companies,” said Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper.

Joining the lawsuit are Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Environmental Advocates of New York, Clean Air Council, Civil War Preservation Trust, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Brandywine Conservancy and Natural Lands Trust.