LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Approximately 40 people, including Sullivan County legislator Luis Alvarez, attended the October 4 information forum and public hearing at SUNY Sullivan to discuss the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Clean Path LLC plans to construct and operate a 178-mile transmission line. The public hearing was part of the Article VII requirements of public participation in the $11 billion project.

The transmission line is part of New York State’s ambitious climate goal calling for 70 percent of the state’s electricity to be fueled by renewable energy by 2030. The line will run underground—and under the Hudson and Harlem Rivers—from Delaware County to Queens. 

It will follow the existing above-ground Marcy South transmission line through Sullivan County. 

The transmission line is one half of the puzzle. It will carry power that is being developed in a tandem project that is constructing 20 green energy infrastructure projects in Central New York. The power generated from wind and solar projects will become the energy the transmission line carries.

Simply put, the transmission line is a way to deliver clean energy that currently doesn’t exist. According to the developers, the project will relieve the congestion of the current power grid, adding resilience to the system and bringing renewable energy to downstate users.

The developers estimate the project will create over 8,300 jobs and promote clean air by reducing about 20 percent of criteria pollutants annually. 

The project is being executed as a partnership between the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and two private companies—energyRE and Invenergy.

The project offers a pool of $270 million in community investments funds and a $450,000 intervenor fund to study the possible environmental impacts of the project.

In August, public hearings were scheduled in Delhi, Middletown and Croton-on-Hudson. However, due to public requests to individual legislators, a hearing in Sullivan County was requested and scheduled. The forum was in three parts: an explanation of Article VII, a presentation from the project developers and a public hearing presided over by New York State Administrative Judge Anthony Belsito.

Advocates for Sullivan County

In a Q&A, Christopher Knapp, Sullivan County real property tax services director, clarified that the nonprofit NYPA would ultimately own the energy infrastructure. 

Heather Brown, Sullivan County commissioner of planning, community development and environmental management, in public testimony strongly urged that a significant amount of the yet-to-be-designated community investment fund attached to the project be allocated to upstate communities. She said that unlike communities downstate and in the city, Sullivan County will not directly benefit from the electricity but merely host the infrastructure, making it uber-important that “Sullivan County and other upstate communities are not left behind when the funds become available.”

Residents Linda Reik, Star Hesse and JoAnne Omar, three of the five individuals who commented on the official record, raised environmental concerns—namely how habitats and land might be affected by the building and operation of the transmission line. Lisa Marshall, oNew Yorkers for Clean Power Advocacy and Organizing Director, testified in support of the project.

The Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson, nonprofit organizations that work to protect the Delaware and Hudson rivers, have registered as “active parties” to the proceedings.

Active parties have access to an intervenor fund of $450,000. Half the fund is reserved for municipal use and the other half is for other registered parties. Registered parties can apply to receive funding to cover the cost of independent environmental assessments of the project. The “active party” registration, intervenor fund and the public hearing are all aspects of the state’s Article VII proceedings.

What is Article VII?

Article VII is part of New York State Public Service Law; it requires a full review of the environmental impact of the siting, design, construction and operation of major transmission facilities in New York State.

The Public Service Commission oversees the Article VII application and according to the Clean Path NY projected timeline will make a decision based on the hearing to issue a certificate in summer 2024. At that point, if the certificate is issued, the project will work to obtain all necessary permits and approvals for a tentative construction start date in the fall of 2024. 

Transmission line construction is set to take place between 2024 and 2027, and begin operation in 2027.

For more information, visit www.cleanpathny.com.