Its argument is that National Grid is very solidly back on its financial feet and no longer needs or is entitled to the fees.

The Public Service Commission will decide the issue, but the alliance expects it will be challenged in state court and may have to go to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a final ruling.

In the meantime, Best said, the alliance needs to make some changes in order to bolster its chances and be prepared to move forward if it wins.

"We have one problem," said Best. The alliance "is not a legal entity, so if we succeed, we'd have to have 21 separate executive directors, and that's not feasible."

He proposed a single, pared down steering committee to represent the alliance communities.

Its members would then report back to and continue to receive instructions from the 21 individual municipal commissions.

The issue of formation of a power authority rests with the state Senate and Assembly, and its membership would be done as governor appointments, Best said.

Suggestions from the member communities would be forwarded, and the members chosen from there, he said.

And if the authority is formed, it would buy transmission and distribution lines and existing power poles from National Grid.

Best said the alliance would figure out the tax-holding value on the items, deduct for depreciation and pay the company the difference.

Legislature Chairman Guy "Tim" Smith (D-Fort Covington) said he favors the idea of creating an authority.

"I don't see a problem, and I would support it," he said. "We want to keep the resource here. We provide a huge amount of cheap power but pay the third-highest price."

draymo@pressrepublican.com