The New York State Public Service Commission has approved $710 million electricity transmission projects to enable the integration of more renewable energy into the state electric grid.
One of the two projects that have been approved is the New York Energy Solution Project, a 54.5-mile, 345 kV transmission line.
The project valued at around $530 million will start in Rensselaer County and extends to Dutchess County, advancing the flow of clean, reliable energy to high-demand markets and consumers downstate.
The regulator has also approved NextEra Energy Transmission New York to exercise municipal agreements to construct the Empire State Line, a 20-mile, 345 kV transmission line.
Located in Niagara and Erie counties, and valued at an estimated $180 million, the project aims to minimise congestion and maximise the flow of renewable energy in Western New York.
The two approvals mark the final requirements to begin construction on the 250-mile green energy transmission superhighway in this year.
The New York Energy Solution Project transmission project, which is owned by New York Transco, is anticipated to eliminate the existing electricity bottlenecks.
Also, the project would facilitate the enhanced use of clean energy produced upstate, while improving grid resiliency and storm hardening.
The existing 80-year-old structures would be upgraded and replaced with a reduced number of nearly 230 modern structures.
New York Transco is expected to work with Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Central Hudson Gas & Electric, to develop additional, related infrastructure upgrades previously required by the regulator.
