Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. have put the county’s money where their mouths are. They are refusing to go ahead and provide property tax relief for the company that is building an electrical transmission line from Canada to New York City until the company does something to help Rockland businesses and residents who have been adversely impacted by the construction project.
The Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line is being built underground along an approximately 339-mile path from Canada to the city. It is expected to deliver about 20% of the city’s electrical needs. The route of the power line takes it through Rockland County.
Losses to Rockland County small businesses have recently been estimated to be about $10 million. Construction work has been underway in the Towns of Stony Point, Haverstraw and Clarkstown and the Villages of West Haverstraw and Haverstraw. Stony Point has experienced severe disruptions to the point that some businesses have been cut off from their customer base, resulting in up to 75% losses of revenue. Construction along Route 9W from Colonial Plaza south to Helen Hayes Hospital has produced severe traffic impacts. While CHPE offered $150,000 to help local businesses, local leaders say much more is needed.
CHPE has been seeking a PILOT Agreement (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) from the county to ease real estate tax payments. Day and Hood said it’s not going to get the PILOT until unless and until it undoes the financial damage that has been done so far.
“This project has caused real and measurable harm to our community,” Day said. “Small businesses are losing customers, residents are facing constant disruptions, cars and properties are sustaining damage by the work, and our first responders are facing delays that could literally cost lives. That is unacceptable.”
In addition to multiple communications with CHPE representatives, legislators, Day and county staff met with the representatives twice. At the most recent meeting on Sept. 11, they pushed for CHPE to provide proper compensation for impacted small businesses, damaged public property, and traffic control devices.
“As someone who lives in Haverstraw, I’ve had enough — and so have our residents,” Hood said. “CHPE’s ongoing disruptions have made daily life a nightmare, damaging our roads, clogging our traffic, and hitting our vehicles with extreme wear and tear. Worse, our local businesses are paying a steep price, losing the customers and revenue they depend on to survive. CHPE has a responsibility to the community, and they need to create a serious business relief fund. They also need to cover the costs of long-term traffic control devices needed on local roads. Yes, they have provided funding to the other municipalities, however it is not enough and the County of Rockland needs to be included as well.”
Day said, “We are putting everyone on notice – Until CHPE takes full responsibility, the county will not enter into a PILOT agreement. Let them pay their taxes in full when the bill comes due just like we all do.”
Stephanie Melowsky, president of the North Rockland Camber of Commerce, has said that about 100 businesses have been devastated by the construction project, cutting hours, laying off employees and even shutting down. She reported that businesses have lost about $10 million in business compared with what they had done in 2024.
