CHENANGO COUNTY – A national energy official and several other witnesses representing state and national agencies were questioned during a hearing Wednesday on Capital Hill as to the necessity of federal legislation that could override long-standing state energy policies.

Guided by the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the U.S. Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could override state authority and – in New York state – push through projects like the New York Regional Interconnection power line.

According to a Congressman Michael Arcuri’s office, the congressman specifically questioned Kevin Kovelar, the Department of Energy’s Director of Electricity and Energy Reliability, as to why some states, like Texas, were exempt from energy legislation.

An Arcuri spokesperson said Thursday morning that the congressman did not get a good response, adding that Kovelar could not explain why Texas was exempt.

Chris Miller, the president of the Piedmont Environmental Council located in Virginia, testified at the hearing and believes it made a positive dent in the controversial provisions of the energy policy act.