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For Immediate Release: 6/22/2023 Rory M. Christian, Chair Contact:
James Denn | James.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
23061 / 22-E-0633 June 22, 2023
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PSC Spurs Development of Offshore Wind Transmission Lines in New York State |
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Commission Action Encourages More Offshore Wind Projects to be Built to Provide Clean, Renewable Energy ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today acted to expand the State’s transmission system to deliver energy from offshore wind power sources to the New York City grid, in support of the State’s climate goals.
“In its decision today, the Commission finds that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or Climate Act, mandates the procurement of at least 9,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind energy by 2035,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “As a general matter, we conclude that this public policy requirement drives the need for additional transmission facilities, and in particular, we seek options for delivery of the output of offshore wind generating resources to New York City interconnection points.”
The Commission’s decision leverages the planning process spelled out in the New York Independent System Operator, Inc.'s (NYISO) tariff for the solicitation and evaluation of public policy transmission projects. Once the Commission determines that public policy requires investment in transmission facilities, the NYISO solicits competitive proposals from transmission developers and assesses the submitted proposals across numerous metrics, including performance and cost. At the conclusion of the evaluation, the NYISO board chooses the project that is most efficient or cost-effective.
The Commission’s focus on interconnections with New York City delivery points implements the recommendation of the 2021 power grid study to allocate offshore wind injections between the Long Island and New York City systems. In 2021, the Commission sought proposals through the NYISO for new transmission between Long Island and the mainland; on June 20, 2023, the NYISO selected a transmission project submitted in that solicitation that will deliver 3,000 MW from offshore wind projects. Today’s decision completes the Commission’s work to implement power grid study recommendations, with a goal to build an additional 6,000 MW of transmission from offshore wind projects.
The developer of the project ultimately selected by the NYISO board is still required to obtain transmission siting approval, which involves other agencies and stakeholders, to determine the final conditions for the construction and operation of the project. Article VII of the New York State Public Service Law requires the Commission to conduct a full review of the environmental and community impacts of the siting, design, construction, and operation of major transmission facilities in the State.
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 $35 billion in 120 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 $1.8 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 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 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 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 22-E-0633 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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