Modernized Transmission System Supports Governor’s Green New Deal and Clean Energy Goal of 70 Percent Renewable Electricity by 2030
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $28 million to begin work on a major new transmission upgrade project in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. The project stems from a proposal submitted by LS Power Grid New York and the New York Power Authority to improve reliability and provide better access to renewable energy through a key corridor along New York’s transmission system. NYPA’s Board of Trustees awarded its share of the initial funding for the project at its May 21 meeting.
«These transmission upgrades are a vital piece of New York’s clean energy future focused on a secure, clean and reliable energy infrastructure,» Governor Cuomo said. «Climate change requires a coordinated approach toward achieving our clean energy goals and this investment will help keep our energy system secure for years to come.»
«Upgrading our infrastructure is an essential component of our strategy to invest in clean energy in every region of our state,» said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. «Climate change is already impacting our daily lives and remains a threat to our future. We must do everything possible to transition to green sources of energy. This new transmission project will increase the ability to develop alternative energy sources, help to create good-paying jobs, and further our goals as part of the Green New Deal.»
The effort, known as LS Power Grid New York’s Marcy to New Scotland transmission upgrade project, of which NYPA has a minority interest, was selected by the New York Independent System Operator on April 8 in response to a competitive solicitation process calling for transmission projects along this corridor that would relieve transmission congestion and facilitate greater statewide access to renewable energy.
«The NYPA Board of Trustees’ action is another step forward in realizing New York’s Clean Energy Highway,» said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. «This transmission project is part of several other vital transmission upgrades taking place across New York State. Together these projects will help ensure that energy from renewable-rich areas of Western and Northern New York will have a reliable path to consumers and help meet New York State’s aggressive clean energy goals.»
«We are excited to be moving forward this critical infrastructure project to help satisfy New York’s clean energy goals and strengthen the grid,» said Paul Thessen, President of LS Power. «New York’s process for planning and selecting projects through a competitive solicitation ensures the best projects are built to serve residents and businesses across the state.»
The project involves upgrades along approximately 100 miles of transmission lines and the construction of two new substations between NYPA’s central transmission hub in Marcy, Oneida County and New Scotland, Albany County. The project aims to use existing electric transmission corridors. Replacing aging and outdated transmission towers – some more than 60 years old – with the latest technologies will enable more efficient energy flow while reducing the number of transmission structures. The funding announced today will cover NYPA’s share of the costs of permitting, licensing, engineering, property acquisition and interconnection agreements.
LS Power is planning to submit an application to construct the project to the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) in the second half of 2019. Following a full review and authorization by the PSC, including numerous opportunities for additional public participation, the rebuilt transmission lines are expected to be in service by the end of 2023.
Senate Energy Chair Kevin Parker said, «By making upgrades to our aging infrastructure, we can take concrete steps to work toward our clean energy goals and build a more resilient transmission system for generations to come. This project addresses a critical need here in New York State by promoting access to renewable energy and bolstering our infrastructure with the latest, greenest technology. I thank Governor Cuomo for making our environment and clean energy a top priority, and for investing in this tremendous project.»
Assembly Energy Chair Michael Cusick said, «New York State has long had two grids operating simultaneously with a choke point in the capital region making the transmission of clean, upstate energy to downstate load centers extremely challenging. Projects like the one announced by NYPA and LS Power will go a long way to ensure our energy system remains reliable while we transition to a greener, more efficient electrical grid. I am excited to see this project move forward while we work to expand New York’s renewable energy generation and avoid curtailments.»
Senator George Amedore said, «These long overdue upgrades are necessary to modernize our transmission systems with the latest technologies to ensure more efficient delivery of clean and renewable energy sources to consumers throughout the region.»
Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, «I’m pleased to see that important transmission upgrades will be taking place in the Mohawk Valley and Capital regions of the state. These upgrades will help to enhance New York’s energy grid and allow cleaner power to reach more homes and businesses in an efficient and cost-effective manner.»
Assembly Member Patricia Fahy said, «NYPA’s planned upgrades will help to relieve transmission congestion and facilitate greater access to renewable energy from the Mohawk Valley to the Capital Region. Replacing the existing transmission towers with the latest technologies will enable more efficient energy transmissions and work towards meeting New York’s ambitious energy efficiency goals as part of the Governor’s Green New Deal. I applaud this investment and modernization and thank Governor Cuomo for his commitment to making our energy grid greener and more efficient.»
Assembly Member Brian Miller said, «There is no question our state needs infrastructure upgrades, and this $28 million project will help deliver more reliable energy to thousands of New Yorkers along this 100 mile corridor while also creating many good jobs along the way. I am pleased to see this investment in our region.»
Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara said, «There’s nothing more important than the health of our communities. Clean water, clean air, and renewable energy—if we’re serious about safeguarding public health and promoting environmental sustainability, we cannot compromise on these critical issues. This project renews our commitment to clean energy in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region and is another step forward in making New York a leader in clean energy.»
Assembly Member Robert Smullen said, «I commend NYPA’s initiative to improve and upgrade our power grid in upstate New York. A modern transmission system is absolutely essential for maintaining reliable service and enhancing the efficiency of the state’s electricity market. These infrastructure improvements will strengthen key sections of the transmission network that serves as the backbone of our economy.»
Assembly Member Marianne Buttenschon said, «We can’t move our economy forward or help Mohawk Valley families get ahead without reliable access to clean, low-cost energy. These investments in the New York Power Authority (NYPA) will help us advance these goals and ensure future generations can prosper in our upstate communities. I’ll work with the NYPA, my fellow legislators and local leaders to ensure these critical investments in our energy infrastructure are completed as soon as possible.»
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn. New York State’s Green New DealGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Green New Deal, the nation’s leading clean energy and jobs agenda, will aggressively put New York State on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality This initiative will provide for a just transition to clean energy, spurring the growth of the green economy and mandating New York’s power be 100 percent clean and carbon-free by 2040, one of the most aggressive goals in the U.S. The cornerstone of this newly proposed mandate is a significant increase of New York’s successful Clean Energy Goal to 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030. As part of the unprecedented ramp-up of renewable energy, New York has already invested $2.9 billion into 46 large-scale renewable projects across the state as it significantly increases its clean energy targets, such as: quadrupling New York’s offshore wind target to a nation-leading 9,000 megawatts by 2035; doubling distributed solar deployment to 6,000 megawatts by 2025; and deploying 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030. To support this ambitious work, NY Green Bank intends to use its expertise in overcoming financing gaps to foster greater environmental impacts per public dollar by raising over $1 billion in third party funds to expand climate financing availability across New York and the rest of North America.
Reforming the Energy Vision
The Green New Deal builds on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s landmark Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York’s economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment through regulatory and programmatic reforms to expand and deploy more clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency. Already, REV has driven growth of nearly 1,500 percent in the statewide solar market, improved energy affordability for 1.65 million low-income customers, and has led to more than 150,000 jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors across New York State.