New York State Electric and Gas receives approval for $98M funding request
A $98 million funding request by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) to develop transmission projects was approved by the New York State Public Service Commission on Dec. 15.
The funding will be used to pay for 27 local transmission projects totaling more than $1.27 billion, NYSEG said. The remainder after the current funding will be determined later. Those projects will support the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) goals, the company said, and are expected to be in service by 2030 at the latest.
“Transmission projects like these, and the other related projects, will significantly improve the deliverability of renewable generation in New York State,” Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said. “These projects improve reliability and support efforts to meet obligations under the Climate Act and provide economic benefits through reduced curtailments and improved reliability.”
The projects, part of an original 46 components considered by the Commission, will improve the reliability of critical transmission systems, address transmission bottlenecks that limit the delivery of renewable energy, and increase storm resiliency. The Commission said the projects would also spur economic growth in upstate New York and increase jobs in the area.
NYSEG operates nearly 35,000 miles of electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than 40 percent of upstate New York. Originally, the company had proposed 23 transmission projects, which the Commission broke down into 46 components. Of those, 19 were found to be unnecessary to support CLCPA goals. The remainder were authorized for continued development.
The CLCPA, and its companion legislation, the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth, and Community Benefit Act, require the Commission and utility companies to develop plans for transmission and distribution upgrades that meet the state’s climate and clean energy initiatives.
