Central Hudson gains approval for construction on 23 miles of electric transmission lines

Last week, New York state regulators approved Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation to rebuild approximately 23 miles of electric transmission lines in Ulster and Greene counties.

The approval followed a review process, public meetings, hearings, and meetings with affected property owners. Construction will affect areas and customers within the Mid-Hudson Valley and focus on building up electric service reliability for the area’s infrastructure. It’s an essential update for transmission lines initially built in 1928 – bringing them close to 100 years of service.

These lines will be reconstructed within the existing right-of-way throughout the territory, barring a portion of the route that will be shifted elsewhere to avoid a large wetland. Along the way, most existing lattice towers will be replaced with single pole structures wrought of Corten steel. This will also increase the line’s capabilities from 69,000 volts to 115,000 volts when complete.

Until needed, however, those lines will continue to operate at the existing voltage.

Construction should begin in September, with completion expected to follow sometime in 2026.