NORWICH – More electrical power is on its way to the northeast region of Chenango County.

The New York State Electric and Gas company got the go-ahead last week from Chenango County to erect a 10.7 mile long 46-kv transmission line from the Town of Sherburne to a new substation near the Greek-yogurt manufacturer, Chobani Inc. in the Town of Columbus.

The Chenango County Industrial Development Agency approved NYSEG’s $650,000 one time sales and use tax exemption for the project at a special meeting at Commerce Chenango in Norwich within days of holding public hearings on the proposal. A hearing in Columbus brought out opposition to the new line, with residents saying the tax exemption would not benefit their town and, instead, result in lower property values and negative environmental impacts.

NYSEG filed an application with the Chenango IDA in early January for sales and use tax benefits of approximately $650,000 on materials purchases of $3.9 million, and taxable contract purchases of $4.2 million. The utility’s total investment is $13.8 million, including new construction, renovation, equipment, installation, engineering fees and overhead.