NORWICH – Recognizing that the NYRI power-line project would irretrievably change the landscape of and bring economic hardship to Chenango and Madison counties, NBT Bank has donated $15,000 to support STOP NYRI, Inc. and its historic preservation research. NBT Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Dietrich announced the donation at Commerce Chenango’s annual holiday gathering on December 4 at NBT Bank of Norwich. Eve Ann Shwartz, co-chair of STOP NYRI, accepted the donation on behalf of STOP NYRI.

Shwartz said: “I want to thank NBT Bank officials for studying the issues and potential impact and providing their support of STOP NYRI’s efforts.”

STOP NYRI will use NBT Bank’s donation primarily for historic studies of the proposed NYRI corridor and for a historian’s expert testimony. The results of this research will be submitted to the New York State Office of Historic Preservation and will be shared with public libraries and historical societies in Chenango and Madison counties. These historical designations are critical in establishing the detrimental effect the power lines would have on irreplaceable vistas, landmarks and buildings. The designations will also be used to oppose the NYRI project in upcoming New York State Public Service Commission hearings.