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For Immediate Release: 03/20/2025 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
25039/24-E-0643 March 20, 2025
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PSC Allows Substation for Major Buffalo Project to Move Forward |
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Proposed Substation Updates Will Nearly Triple Electric Capacity ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Need for an on-site electric distribution substation at the Northland Corridor Redevelopment Project. The certificate provides the go ahead for the important economic development project being built by Buffalo Urban Development Corporation and NorDel II, LLC.
“The numerous public benefits of the project have been repeatedly recognized at various levels of federal, state, and local government. Improving the substation will provide significant public benefits, such as avoiding the financial burden and environmental risks of duplicating electric utility facilities to serve the Northland Corridor Redevelopment Project,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “It will also help establish a state-of-the-art hub campus for workforce training and advanced manufacturing, which will encourage new economic opportunities in the region.”
In its decision, the Commission determined that granting a Certificate for the ownership, operation, and upgrade of an electric distribution substation at 644 Northland Avenue that is part of its Northland project in Buffalo, is in the public interest. As stated in the submitted petition, certain grant funding tied to the Northland project requires the completion of construction within 48 months of the award date. The developers plan to start construction in March or April of 2025.
In April 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $55 million would be made available for Phases 3 and 4 of redevelopment of the project. This next phase of development in the Northland Corridor will build upon prior phases of investment in the campus and will involve the rehabilitation of existing buildings, as well as the demolition and new construction at 631 Northland Avenue, 777 Northland Avenue, 741 Northland Avenue, and 537 E. Delavan in Buffalo, Erie County. Phase 4 is projected to result in approximately 250,000 square feet of new commercial, manufacturing, and community spaces. Phase 4 of redevelopment is occurring concurrently with the Phase 3 redevelopment.
The existing 2.5 megawatts (MW) substation serves the 683 Northland Avenue building, which is located across the street from the substation and is owned by BUDC’s subsidiary 683 Northland LLC. As part of the Phase 3 project, it is anticipated that the “B” Building at 612 Northland Avenue and 537/541 E. Delavan Avenue will be connected to and powered from the substation.
As part of Phase 3 redevelopment, the proposed scope of work for the substation entails installing and constructing new equipment to expand the substation’s capacity from 2.5 MW to 7 MW. Two 23 kilovolt feeders will be extended from National Grid’s substation at E. Delevan Avenue, which will be tied into new switchgear and transformers. Once the new equipment is installed, the existing substation equipment will be de-energized and removed from the site. New electric service will be established underground for adjacent properties at 612 Northland Avenue and 541 E. Delavan Avenue. Tenants will be metered downstream of the primary meter at the substation.
In their petition, the developers say they will continue the provision of safe, adequate, and reliable service to themselves and the tenants of the Northland Corridor project. Although the developers did not set out to become electricity providers, the existing conditions of the property required it. The preexisting substation and distribution facilities have been operated by the developers since the acquisition of the 644 Northland property. The developers have been working cooperatively with National Grid and will continue to do so. The developers said they will continue to pursue their mission of supporting urban economic development efforts by providing safe, adequate, and reliable service to maintain the long-term economic viability of the Northland Corridor project.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 24-E-0643 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
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