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For Immediate Release: 5/18/2023 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
23055 / 10-T-0139 May 18, 2023
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PSC Approves Major Component of the Champlain Hudson Project |
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Commission Approves Construction of Converter Station in Queens and Segment in Upstate New York ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved the construction of the critically important converter station in Astoria, Queens County, that will enable the electricity being transmitted over the power line from Canada to be used by New York City residents and businesses, as well as a 20-mile segment in Upstate New York.
“Projects such as Champlain Hudson will reinforce the backbone of our energy system,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “In addition to helping ensure a clean energy future, projects such as these are strengthening the safety and reliability of the transmission system. Champlain Hudson will play a key role in our comprehensive plan to modernize our State's transmission system so that it delivers clean energy to all New Yorkers, while advancing our climate goals and creating clean-energy jobs.”
Construction of the 339-mile Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line, being developed by Transmission Developers Inc, to deliver reliable clean energy from Hydro-Québec in Canada directly to New York City, is underway. The project is expected to bring $3.5 billion in economic benefits to New Yorkers while creating nearly 1,400 family-sustaining union jobs during construction, and was competitively selected under Tier 4 of the State’s Clean Energy Standard, as a key project that will help achieve New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to obtain 70 percent of electricity statewide from renewable sources by 2030 on the path to a zero-emission grid.
The project is expected to power over one million homes and will reduce carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons statewide, the equivalent of taking over half a million cars off the road every year. The transmission line is expected to be fully operational in the spring of 2026.
In addition to approving construction of the converter station in Queens that will convert the 1,250 megawatts (MWs) of direct current electricity transmitted along the Champlain Hudson power line to alternating current electricity that can be used by residents and businesses in New York City, the Commission also approved two associated laydown yards in Queens County to assist in the work process.
The Commission also greenlighted the construction and operation of the overland transmission cable in the towns of Whitehall, Fort Ann, Kingsbury, and Hartford, and the Villages of Whitehall and Fort Ann in Washington County. The conduit route is located entirely within the Canadian Pacific right-of-way (ROW) and Old Route 4 ROW for approximately 20.8 miles.
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 Number 10-T-0139 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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