Propel NY Energy Transmission Solution Selected by NYISO Board

Thursday, June 22, 2023

For Immediate Release: 6/21/2023

Contacts:

Shannon Baxevanis, NY Transco, [email protected]

Propel NY Energy Transmission Solution Selected by NYISO Board

Project to Create Energy Pathways that Connect Long Island Offshore Wind Energy to State’s Power Grid while Bolstering System Reliability in Long Island, New York City and Westchester County

NYPA and NY Transco Collaboration to Advance State Clean Energy Goals and Support Clean Energy Jobs

View a Project Fact Sheet with Map Here

WHITE PLAINS AND HUDSON, N.Y.—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York Transco (NY Transco) today announced that their proposed 90-mile electric transmission project—Propel NY Energy—was selected by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) to achieve the Long Island Offshore Wind Export Public Policy Transmission Need Project Solicitation.

The Propel NY Energy transmission solution will strengthen the backbone of the electric grid with increased transmission capacity to help inject more clean, renewable energy from offshore wind facilities into the statewide energy grid. By building new underground and submarine transmission lines in existing public rights-of-way and substation facilities on Long Island, in New York City, and across Westchester County, Propel will efficiently and cost-effectively deliver clean energy to homes and businesses that benefit all New Yorkers and aid the state in achieving critical clean energy goals.

The Propel NY Energy collaboration of NYPA and NY Transco features two New York institutions with proven records of success in design, permitting, construction and robust community engagement on complex transmission projects in New York State. The New York Power Authority is a public entity that owns and operates 1,400 circuit miles of transmission across New York State, and NY Transco is a private, New York developer, owner and operator of New York-based bulk transmission facilities. Both have independently won past competitive transmission bid processes and are currently constructing clean energy transmission projects across the state. Pending regulatory approvals, Propel NY Energy construction is anticipated to commence in 2026 and enter service in 2030.

“The Propel NY Energy transmission solution’s selection in this competitive process is a nod to the creative, collaborative teams at the Power Authority and New York Transco that developed this well thought out project that will harden Southeastern New York’s electric grid and help deliver clean energy from offshore wind to New Yorkers,” said NYPA Acting President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “NYPA and Transco are New York-based energy experts with proven track records, and we are excited to embark on this exciting new project that will be an integral pillar for New York’s future energy grid.”

“We are honored that Propel NY Energy was selected to improve reliability and allow New York to achieve its nation-leading clean energy goals,” said Victor Mullin, President of New York Transco. “Propel leverages the expertise of public and private utilities to deliver the best, most innovative and economical solutions with minimal impact. We look forward to working closely with all area stakeholders to collaboratively deliver a more resilient network for our shared clean energy future.”

Propel NY Energy will provide benefits to New Yorkers that include:

Reliability by providing redundancy and efficiency in the transmission network to ensure uninterrupted delivery of clean energy to high demand areas. Resiliency to withstand the effects of climate change by hardening the transmission system with state-of-the-art, modern, durable infrastructure.

Greenhouse gas emission reductions from delivering offshore wind generation into the energy grid.

Lowering the cost of electricity to consumers through lower production costs and reduced transmission congestion as well as reductions in load payments and curtailment reduction.

Clean energy and construction jobs to engage New Yorkers in advancing a clean energy economy.

Senator Kevin Parker, Chair of the Senate Energy & Telecommunications Committee said,“I’m delighted to see that New York is making progress on building out its energy infrastructure to support the delivery of more renewable energy for southeast New York. The New York Power Authority and the New York Transco both have great track records in the energy industry so I am confident they will deliver value for New York ratepayers.”

Senator Kevin Thomas (6th Senate District) said, “Propel NY Energy is a critical project which will help meet New York State’s clean energy goals by delivering offshore energy into the statewide grid. Today’s announcement is a giant step forward in modernizing New York State’s energy grid for the 21st Century which will benefit all New Yorkers, and it is the first step in the Article VII citing process which will allow local voices to weigh in on the project.”

Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District) said, “As the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, I am fully supportive of renewable energy while also being keenly aware that we need projects like Propel NY Energy to help move New York toward a clean energy future without overburdening our energy grid or our ratepayers. This project will accomplish both of these goals while utilizing the hardworking men and women of Nassau-Suffolk Building Trades. And the fact that they will move forward respecting local input makes this project one that will benefit our region for years to come.”

The Propel team is committed to using skilled union labor to the greatest extent practicable, leveraging a long history of professional, competent and safe work.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Third District International Vice President Dennis Affinati said, “New York State labor unions are at the forefront of the clean energy transition. The collaboration of the skilled women and men in the IBEW with public and private organizations is the key to cost-effective, efficient and successful projects that will address climate change and ensure more opportunities for union careers. We look forward to working with the Propel team to deliver this important Project.”

Nassau-Suffolk Building Trades President Matthew Aracichsaid,“Propel NY Energy is a transformational project which will deliver offshore wind energy into the statewide grid and create a more resilient and reliable transmission system for New York homes and businesses. To deliver the best project, you need the best workforce, and I am encouraged by the conversations we have had with New York Transco and NYPA, along with their strong track record of building world-class transmission projects with skilled union labor.”

John R. Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO said, “NYISO’s award to build out our transmission network is vital to a union made clean energy future. We look forward to working with Propel NY Energy to build out our infrastructure, clear transmission bottlenecks, and deliver a better tomorrow for New York’s working families.”

The Project will help New York State meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Preservation Act (CLCPA or the Climate Act) by bolstering the electric transmission network to help move some of the proposed 9,000 megawatts of proposed offshore wind to homes and business throughout New York State.

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “As New York State marches toward its goal of greening the grid, it is critical that we have the modern transmission capabilities in place to deliver all that clean energy to homes and businesses. The Propel NY Energy partnership is an important step in that direction and we look forward to continuing to advocate for increased transmission capabilities across the state and the environmental benefits they will deliver.”

Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito said, “Long Islanders know from experience the importance of a strong and resilient power grid to support our region’s energy needs. Updated transmission infrastructure from the Propel NY Energy project will play a key role in NY’s successful transition to renewable energy. This project is key to get clean energy where it needs to go and will provide us with more reliable and sustainable power.”

The next phases of Propel include stakeholder engagement and host community outreach and the permitting process under New York State Public Service Law’s Article VII siting, which requires a full review of the need for and environmental impact of the siting, design, construction, and operation of major transmission facilities in New York State. The Propel NY Energy project team is committed to working with communities and stakeholders at every stage to ensure the built project reflects local voices and values, prioritizes the wellbeing of communities, and protects the surrounding environmental ecosystem.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, “A state-of-the-art energy transmission network is vital to Suffolk County’s economic future as a leader in offshore wind. Propel NY Energy is another step in helping improve our County and state’s environment and economy.”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “The Propel NY Energy transmission solution, selected this week to carry offshore wind across Long Island, into Westchester, New York City and into the statewide energy grid, is great news for New Yorkers. It will help New York meet its nation-leading clean energy goals and provide clean energy, economic activity, and family-sustaining jobs in the green energy sector.”

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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 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA owns and operates approximately one third of New York’s high voltage power lines. These lines transmit power from NYPA’s three large hydroelectric generation facilities and independent wind power generation facilities, connecting nearly 7,000 megawatts of renewable energy to New York State’s power grid. This includes connecting more than 6,300 megawatts of hydroelectric power and about 700 megawatts, or more than a third, of New York State generated wind energy to the grid. 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.

About New York Transco

New York Transco (NY Transco) is a New York-based owner, operator and developer of bulk electric transmission facilities with a mission to safely and efficiently deliver innovative electric transmission solutions that advance clean energy to best serve customers, communities and the environment. NY Transco is owned by subsidiaries of Con Edison, National Grid, Avangrid, and CH Energy Group. Completed projects include Ramapo to Rock Tavern, Frasers-Coopers Corners and Staten Island Unbottling. NY Transco is currently constructing the New York Energy Solution in the Hudson Valley, the Rock Tavern to Sugarloaf Project in Orange County and Dover Station Project in Dover, NY. For more information, visit www.NYTransco.com.