Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino continued to sound the alarm today on the proposed Propel NY Energy transmission project, warning that critical questions remain unanswered as the plan moves toward final approval before the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC). In a joint letter to PSC leadership, the Supervisors made clear: without transparency, accountability, and real protection for residents, this project cannot move forward. Representing the overwhelming majority of Nassau County’s population, Town officials emphasized that their top priority is protecting residents—not rubber-stamping a project that could raise costs, threaten public safety, and disrupt communities.
Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti stated, “Nassau County families are already stretched thin. We will not allow them to be saddled with higher utility bills for a project that may not even benefit them. Show us the numbers, show us the plan, and prove this is fair—or it shouldn’t move forward.”
Skyrocketing Costs for Local Ratepayers
Nassau residents already pay some of the highest utility rates in the nation. The Supervisors are demanding a full cost breakdown and clear answers on who benefits from this project. Bottom line: Nassau families should not foot the bill for infrastructure that serves other regions.
Public Health at Risk
The proposed 345kV transmission lines have raised serious concerns about electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. Officials are calling for independent, route-wide testing, especially near homes, schools, and parks. Health and safety are non-negotiable.
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena stated, “Our residents deserve straight answers—about costs, health impacts, and safety. Until we have full transparency and independent verification, we cannot and will not support this proposal.”
Fire Risks from Battery Storage Facilities
The Supervisors are pressing for answers on whether this project is tied to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) planned for Long Island. Local fire departments have warned of dangerous “thermal runaway” fires that are extremely difficult to control and can release toxic fumes.
First responder and community safety must come first.
Traffic Chaos and Road Damage
Construction could mean major traffic disruption—and history shows utility companies often leave roads in worse shape than they found them. The Town Supervisors are demanding full curb-to-curb restoration, not temporary patch jobs that leave taxpayers holding the bag.
Protect Local Jobs
Supervisors are calling for union labor and Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) to ensure local workers benefit—not out-of-state contractors. If Nassau bears the burden, Nassau should get the jobs.
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino added, “We’ve seen what happens when infrastructure projects cut corners—our roads suffer, our first responders are put at risk, and taxpayers are left picking up the pieces. That’s not happening here. If this project moves forward, it must meet the highest standards while employing local labor.”
A Clear Message to Albany: The Town Supervisors are calling for immediate answers and a formal briefing before the project advances any further, jointly stating, “We support smart energy policy—but not at the expense of our residents’ wallets, safety, or quality of life. No transparency, no accountability—no deal.”