CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

Issues raised at the forum ranged from student loans and subprime mortgages to regulation of wind turbines and burning barrels. After Mr. Cuomo spoke, his staff conducted individual "breakout" sessions covering health care, student loans, environmental law, Internet safety, consumer fraud and civil and labor rights.

Katherine Kennedy, special deputy attorney general for environmental protection, said she had met earlier with representatives of Save the River and fishing guides to discuss how the International Joint Commission's decision to adopt a controversial water-level plan may affect levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

She said that at some point, the Department of State will have to make a determination regarding the plan's adoption and, if the adoption of the plan is found to be in violation of the law, the attorney general's office may take action to oppose it.

"The IJC is meant to be immune from a suit," she said. "We haven't looked at the exact language to see if it's bulletproof."

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