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For Immediate Release: 11/16/2023 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080 23117/23-E-0185; 22-E-0603; 23-E-0390 November 16, 2023
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PSC Advances Three Major Transmission Line Projects to Support Renewable Generation |
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Commission Approves Transfers of Facilities Need to Interconnect the Rock Tavern to Sugarloaf Project to the New York Energy Solution Project Approves $1.4 Billion in Financing for Propel New York Transmission Project
NEW YORK — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today made three major decisions regarding transmission projects being developed by New York Transco (NY Transco), a major transmission line developer in New York State.
“New York continues to make significant upgrades and additions to the State’s existing transmission systems to integrate new large-scale renewable energy projects into the State’s energy supply,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “These projects will help ensure that New York meets its clean energy requirements as called for by the Climate Act.”
In the first decision, the Commission authorized New York Transco to transfer certain interconnection facilities to Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) for the timely interconnection and operation of the Rock Tavern to Sugarloaf project, which will increase transmission capacity to move power from upstate to downstate New York.
The Commission noted that the construction of the Rock Tavern to Sugarloaf project, which connects to the New York Energy Solution Project, will serve a public need because it will address the contingency resulting from increasing the transmission capacity across the Central East and Upstate New York/Southeast New York interfaces. O&R, as a regulated utility with significant experience in owning and operating the relevant infrastructure, will be a capable operator of the transferred facilities. O&R will be directly integrating the interconnection facilities into O&R's transmission system for the benefit of its own ratepayers. In addition, the transfer of the interconnection facilities from NY Transco to O&R will not adversely impact O&R ratepayers or the reliability, safety, operation, or maintenance of O&R's distribution system.
In the second decision, the Commission authorized New York Transco to transfer certain interconnection facilities to Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison), for the timely interconnection and operation of the New York Energy Solution Project. Con Edison, as a regulated utility with significant experience in owning and operating the relevant infrastructure, will be a capable operator of the transferred facilities. Con Edison will be directly integrating the interconnection facilities into Con Edison's transmission system for the benefit of its own ratepayers. In addition, the transfer of the interconnection facilities from NY Transco to Con Edison will not adversely impact Con Edison’s ratepayers or the reliability, safety, operation, or maintenance of Con Edison's distribution system.
In the third decision, the Commission approved $1.4 billion in financing for NY Transco’s Propel NY Energy transmission project. Propel NY Energy is a proposed electric transmission solution — constructing new and upgraded underground and submarine transmission lines and stations — developed by the New York Power Authority and NY Transco to bolster the electric transmission network on Long Island, in parts of New York City and in Westchester County for reliability, resiliency, and the delivery of clean offshore wind energy to homes and businesses throughout New York State. The project was recently selected by the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. to meet the Long Island Offshore Wind Public Policy Transmission Need identified by the Commission.
By supporting the delivery of renewable energy to the power system, these investments are enhancing New York’s electric grid to meet New York’s ambitious clean energy and climate goals, as set forth in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). In addition to reducing carbon emissions and generating more clean energy, the Climate Act will help create thousands of green jobs in communities across the State — from building trades and technicians to engineers and financiers — making New York a hub for clean energy economic growth while ensuring good-paying job opportunities for all New Yorkers.
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $55 billion in 145 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with nearly 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
Today’s decisions may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Numbers 23-E-0185 [NY Transco and Orange and Rockland Utilities], 22-E-0603 [NY Transco and Con Edison]; or 23-E-0390 [NY Transco Financing] 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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