New York utility touts new substation project

New York-based Orange & Rockland (O&R) utility officials are espousing the benefits of a $38.2 million substation construction project they said would enhance electric service reliability.

O&R said the new Port Jervis substation would, under current rates, also result in approximately $1.9 million in increased tax revenues to the city and its schools each year – offering more switching options to help restore service interruptions more quickly, and it will allow the utility to better integrate renewable energy and advanced technologies onto the power grid.

The company has secured all required regulatory approvals and environmental permits for the project, officials said, adding the initial work will begin this month and an in-service date of June 2021 is anticipated.

Investments totaling over $145 million this year have been made to fortify and improve the reliability of O&R’s electric system, the utility noted, adding the investment builds on the nearly $1 billion earmarked over the past 10 years on electric system maintenance and reliability projects.

O&R provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State, officials said, as well as northern New Jersey, in addition to providing natural gas service to roughly 130,000 customers in New York.