New York Green Lights Construction Start on 1,250 MW Renewable Transmission Line from Quebec to New York City
Posted on March 1, 2023
The New York State Department of Public Service issued a Notice to Proceed to Construction this week, allowing work to begin on the first two terrestrial segments of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) Project, a 339-mile underground and submarine high voltage, direct current transmission line which will bring renewable hydropower from Quebec to a new converter station in Astoria, Queens. One of the largest and most ambitious transmission projects constructed in New York State in the last 50 years, CHPE was selected as one of two major transmission investments in New York’s first-of-its-kind Tier 4 renewable program designed to supply renewables to meet more than a third of New York City’s annual electricity needs.
Construction of the CHPE project kicked off in Washington County in late 2022 with approvals to install a construction laydown and marshalling yard in the Town of Whitehall. This week’s approval authorizes CHPE to begin tree clearing, site preparation and construction of a 17.6-mile stretch of the terrestrial segments of the line in the Towns of Putnam, Dresden and Whitehall. State review and approval of additional terrestrial and marine segments of the line are under way or anticipated throughout the rest of this year, with construction expected to continue through the project’s anticipated commercial operations date in the spring of 2026.
“Transmission siting and investment will be critical to achievement of New York’s renewable energy goals,” James Muscato, head of the Young/Sommer Energy Practice, explained. “Projects like CHPE represent bold, tangible progress toward a greener energy grid. Bringing innovative projects like this across the finish line is no easy task, and Young/Sommer is honored to have the opportunity to help make this project a reality.”
The Young/Sommer energy team, including Steve Wilson, Laura Bomyea Darling and James Muscato, serve as state regulatory counsel for the CHPE Project.