New York State PSC approves 62 transmission line upgrades in state

The New York State Public Service Commission gave approval to the major upstate electric utilities to develop 62 local transmission upgrades to reduce congestion in three upstate regions.

Specifically, the commission approved the requests of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, National Grid (upstate), and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation to conduct the upgrades that will reduce congestion in the Capital Region, the southwest, and northern regions of the state. The 62 projects will create 3,500 megawatts of capacity for clean energy — enough electricity for more than 2.8 million homes.

Further, the lack of transmission capacity in these areas negatively impacts ratepayers by increasing the costs of renewable energy resources and curtailing clean energy production.

“New York is making significant upgrades and additions to the state’s existing transmission and
distribution systems to integrate new large-scale renewable energy projects into the state’s energy supply, and we must ensure that these investments are smart and cost-effective,” Commission Chair Rory Christian said. “The Commission recognizes the need to address congestion in certain parts of the State where renewable energy is already bottled and where additional generation projects are in development or likely to be developed in the future.”

These 62 projects include upgrades to existing transmission lines, upgrades to existing substations, and the construction of three new substations. The utilities plan to complete these projects between 2024 and 2030.

The $4.4 billion estimated cost of the transmission upgrades leverage at least $1 billion in direct benefits to New York companies and localities and avoids billions in excess payments to renewable power producers.

The primary benefit of these projects are climate mitigation, while the secondary benefits are that these investments will create hundreds of construction jobs and significant tax payments to local municipalities.