New York Power Authority trustees approved a total of $9.1 million for the initial engineering and permitting and licensing phase of the planned rebuild of the Authority's major North-South power transmission line at their Sept. 26 board meeting. Completion of the project, known as the Moses-Adirondack Smart Path Reliability Project, will help to further strengthen the reliability of New York State's electric power grid and allow more upstate renewable energy to connect to the power system throughout the state. The upgraded line also will help accelerate the state's progress in meeting Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Clean Energy Standard that calls for 50 percent of New York's consumed electricity to come from renewable energy sources like wind and solar by 2030.
"These transmission lines were the Power Authority's very first asset, originally built in 1942, and, while NYPA's crews have done a great job maintaining them over the years to keep the electricity flowing, it is now time for replacement and modernization," said NYPA Chairman John R. Koelmel. "With this ambitious effort, we are investing in New York's transmission health and preparing the system for many more years of reliable service."
"The NYPA Board of Trustees' action is another step forward in making the Smart Path, a major public infrastructure investment, a reality," said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA President and CEO. "The Smart Path is an important piece of helping to realize Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy for building a cleaner, more reliable energy system for New York. We are pleased that the Board has approved this next step for the project."
This funding announcement follows Governor Cuomo's first announcement in July that the state would be moving forward with the plan to rebuild the 78-mile stretch of transmission artery. Prior to the board's approval of this most recent funding, NYPA's trustees previously approved $9.4 million for earlier phases of the project which is expected to cost $440 million. The new funding will help to support additional engineering work as well as permitting and licensing of the new lines.
When completed, Smart Path will run north to south through St. Lawrence and Lewis counties carrying economical, clean and renewable energy, including low-cost hydropower from NYPA's St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project and power from newly constructed wind farms, solar power projects and other large-scale renewable energy sources, from upstate to high-energy demand areas downstate. The project is also expected to support nearly 2,000 jobs during its construction.
Visit www.nypasmartpath.com for up-to-date information about the Moses-Adirondack Smart Path Reliability Project.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and generating 50 percent of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven a nearly 800 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor's $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY.
Contact:
Maura Balaban
maura.balaban@nypa.gov
914-390-8171
