New York Gov. Hochul approves major upstate transmission line

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that the New York State Public Service Commission had approved rebuilding a 100-mile transmission line in the North County of the state.

The project, known as Smart Path Connect, would upgrade the transmission backbone system of the state and improve the reliability of the state’s power grid. The project will complement the previously approved Smart Path and AC Transmission project to reduce congestion and curtailments currently affecting renewable generation and will save residents an estimated $447 million.

“New York is proud to be leading the clean energy revolution, using projects like Smart Path Connect to power communities across the state,” Hochul said. “As we work to advance our climate goals and create the jobs of the future, these projects are a critical component of our efforts to build out New York State’s transmission system to deliver clean energy to all New Yorkers.”

The North Country transmission line is owned and operated by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and National Grid. The groups said the project would entail rebuilding the 100 miles of existing 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines to either 230 kV or 345 kV, along with associated substation construction and upgrades, along the existing right-of-way in Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Oneida counties.

“The new North Country transmission line will play a key role in ensuring affordable energy in our region,” New York state Sen. Dan Stec (R-114) said. “This 100-mile line will upgrade our power infrastructure and reliability while reducing consumer costs. We have to do more to lower rate costs and increase the power supply in our communities, and this project is a positive step in that direction.”