Albany, NY – 04/18/13 – The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved the terms of a joint proposal granting a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need to Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation (RG&E) to increase the reliability of the supply of electricity to the City of Rochester.

The Rochester-area reliability project calls for the construction of approximately 21 miles of new 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines, reconstruct two miles of an existing 115 kV line, a new 1.9 mile 345 kV line, and a new 345 kV/115 kV substation, as well as improve three existing substations in the Towns of Chili, Gates, and Henrietta and City of Rochester, Monroe County.  The project also includes new system upgrades in existing control buildings. 

“We are pleased that the joint proposal ensures continued reliability of power supply to Rochester while protecting the natural and human environment by minimizing adverse environmental impacts,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown.

The new transmission lines are planned to use existing rights-of-way and thereby minimize damage to the environment. The communities located along the planned routes – the Towns, Monroe County, and the City of Rochester – expressed support for the project. The new facilities are intended to provide for new sources of electric generation for the RG&E system. It will also help relieve loading on existing 115kV lines. RG&E estimates the project will cost approximately $254 million.

Under the approved joint proposal, land use impacts are mitigated by much of the route running along existing transmission and railroad corridors, modifying the original route to preserve existing active farmland and avoid a federal conservation easement, and reducing the visual impact of the line in a residential area by undergrounding one portion of the project. 

On September 29, 2011, RG&E filed its application under Article VII to construct and operate the project. On December 12, 2012, a joint proposal was filed by Department of Public Service staff, RG&E, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Department of Agriculture and Markets.  No party opposed the joint proposal. 

The Commission’s decision today, when issued, 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 11-T-0534 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number."  Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission orders 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.