In 1940, New Yorkers listened to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the radio with the biggest energy user in a typical home humming in the background – a refrigerator. Its power was supported by what was a brand-new underground transmission system. To the credit of engineers and maintenance workers at that time, elements of that grid are still in use today. However, it’s a challenge for the grid to keep up with electrical demands of the 21st Century.
Our electric transmission system is essential infrastructure that is relied upon 24/7 and is the underpinning of our economy and environment. Yet, major reconstruction of large parts of New York’s transmission grid has not occurred in more than 50 years. With demands for electricity ever increasing and the transition to cleaner energy sources a priority, the state’s grid operator – the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) – is at the forefront of ensuring supply is ready for the demand and that electricity can be efficiently and cost-effectively delivered to homes and businesses throughout the state. What does this mean in our local towns, cities and neighborhoods? Upgrades, modernization, and new electric transmission facilities are needed to ensure we have reliable power flowing when consumers need it.
In 2023, the NYISO selected the New York Power Authority and New York Transco to deliver Propel NY Energy (Propel NY), a project that will install nearly 90 miles of new transmission to improve system reliability, and address the expanding needs of energy consumers now, and far into the future.
Meeting the Energy Needs of our Regions
Propel NY is an underground and submarine transmission project through parts of Westchester, the Bronx, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. When completed, Propel NY will improve system operability, expandability, and transfer load carrying capability where it is needed most. The project is engineered to create a 345kV backbone to improve reliability and resiliency, allowing for increased flows of clean power.
With the project’s transmission line being entirely underground and/or submarine, it serves a critical role in an era of climate change in areas historically battered by hurricanes, tropical storms, and nor’easters. Propel NY significantly strengthens the electric grid, making key transmission resources far less vulnerable to the increased cycles of severe weather, while also relieving bottlenecks currently confronting existing transmission lines that prevent efficient and effective power to flow where it is needed and when it is required.
The project has been strategically designed, keeping both environmental and local community considerations a top priority. From concepts on paper to our anticipated May 2030 power flow, Propel NY’s effort will span nine years of rigorous environmental, engineering, construction development and refinement, regulatory review, community input, and regular communication to make it successful.
Engineering Ingenuity – It’s a NY thing!
The heart and soul of Propel NY is embodied by the engineering that makes our region world renowned. New York has always led the way in innovation and engineering success – from the Empire State Building to the 1881 lighting of 51 blocks in Manhattan with electric streetlights. One might wonder what our electrical pioneers Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, or Nikola Tesla would think of today’s Propel NY Energy project. Surely, they would be proud that early electrical engineering discoveries are being further leveraged and improved upon to strengthen a vital, dynamic energy highway that will ensure a reliable, resilient grid across New York State.
A Project Priority – Community Education and Engagement
As we advance into various phases of the project, ensuring our community is educated about and engaged is just as important as engineering the right solution. Propel NY is focused on connecting with residents, businesses, and organizations along the proposed project route. We prioritize respecting the quality of life for all those who may be touched by its construction, making sure local leaders and their residents have information, can ask questions, and can affect the outcomes of the project to best incorporate community priorities. We hope you’ll join us at Westchester open houses to learn more about Propel NY – 5/2 in New Rochelle, 5/7 in Yonkers and 5/9 via Zoom; visit PropelNYEnergy.com for more information and to register.
About New York Power Authority (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 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA 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, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
About New York Transco (NYT)
New York Transco is a New York-based owner and developer of bulk power transmission facilities in New York State. Our mission is to safely and efficiently deliver innovative electric transmission solutions that advance clean energy to best serve customers, communities, and the environment. We have many assets in operation and several projects in various stages of construction and development. Our efforts are focused on improving the long-term viability of New York’s transmission infrastructure, reducing network congestion, and advancing the State’s public policy objectives which include increasing the amount of renewables and promoting economic development.
