Public Service Commission receiving comments on NextEra Energy proposal

The State of New York Public Service Commission has issued notice that public comment is sought on a Joint Proposal of terms under which the New York State Public Service Commission would grant authority to NextEra Energy Transmission New York, Inc. (NEETNY) to construct the Empire State Line Project, a new approximately 20-mile long 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated switchyards in the Town of Royalton in Niagara County and the Towns of Alden, Newstead, Lancaster, and Elma in Erie County; a new 345 kV switchyard in Niagara County: and a second, new switchyard in Erie County.

Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning the proposed transmission project and the Joint Proposal by May 27, 2020.  Comments may be submitted by internet or mail.  Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” enter the case number (18-T-0499), and then click on “Post Comments” at the top of the page; or send comments to the Secretary to the Commission at secretary@dps.ny.gov.  Alternatively, comments may be mailed to Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350.  Due to concerns related to COVID-19 filing electronically or by email is strongly encouraged.

You may call the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  This number is set up to take comments about pending cases form in-State callers, 24 hours a day.  These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

The Joint Proposal proposes several changes to the design of the Project from what it proposed in its application including an alternate design for the transmission structure and a shift in location for the East Stolle Road Switchyard, among other things.  The Signatory Parties worked collaboratively on the development of the Joint Proposal, Ordering Clauses, and Environmental Management and Construction Plan Guidelines and Procedures that will minimize potential adverse environmental impacts and protect environmental resources.

The Joint Proposal does not make significant changes to the location of the Project as reflected in the Application.  Primary changes to the original design and construction of the project, incorporated in the Joint Proposal most directly impact the Town of Newstead include:

Non-expandable single circuit monopole structures instead of expandable single-circuit structures proposed it the application.  This design change did not impact the height or visual impact and the amount of tree clearing of the monopole structures.

From mile points 10.1 to 10.4 the proposed line will cross underneath the Thruway via horizontal direction drill, and the crossing, previously designed as a single duct bank, will now consist of two duct banks and associated equipment in order to match the rating of the overhead transmission line component of the project.  This design change does not impact the proposed route.

The Proposed Line will be located, to the extent practicable, 100 feet east of the existing NYSEG L654 230 kV line, measured from centerline-to-centerline.  The 100-foot centerline-to-centerline separation from the existing NYSSEG transmission line is based on feedback and guidance provided by NYSEG regarding the minimum required horizontal separation distance within the NYSEG ROW.  The 100-foot centerline-to-centerline separation does not impact the proposed route of the transmission line.

The Project design also reflects a 55-foot vegetation clearing width from the furthest conductor, reflecting guidance from the DPS staff that, in general, for a 345 KV transmission line, a 55-foot vegetative clearing width is viewed as optimal to trim any undesirable vegetation that in any way encroaches into a utility-established priority zone.

The Joint Proposal calls for the applicant to conduct pre-and post-construction meetings with certain specified owners/residents of the residences adjacent to and east of the transmission line to address the need for landscape restoration.

NEETNY explains that agricultural land impacts can be minimized by utilizing either mats or other acceptable methods such as striping topsoil.  The Joint Proposal clarifies that mats are the preferred method for topsoil resource protections in agricultural areas.  When mats are utilized, the mats will be layered where necessary to provide a level access surface.

The 20-mile long transmission line would be built in an existing utility corridor, owned by New York State Electric and Gas Corporation and would connect the proposed Dysinger and East Stolle Switchyards to each other.

The Dysinger Switchyard would connect to existing transmission lines by new transmission facilities, about 0.3 and 0.15 miles long respectively.  The East Stolle Switchyard would be connected to an existing substation and transmission line by new lines, each approximately 0.2 miles long.

The Joint Proposal, signed by NEETNY, Trial Staff of the New York State Department of Public Service, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York State Thruway Authority and Challengers of the Empire State Line, was submitted for consideration by the Public Service Commission on April 23, 2020.

The Joint Proposal contains the terms, conditions, practices, and guidelines that the signatory parties recommend be included in a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) allowing NEETNY to construct the Project.

The new transmission line will be built on land that already owned by NYSEG, and it will follow along other utility lines currently in place.  The existing power structures on this utility corridor are 75-feet high and constructed out of wooden “h-frames,” which are two poles with wires set horizontally. NextEra transmission lines will be anchored on monopoles right next to it and those new poles will be 115-feet above the ground.