New York Transco Commemorates Next Phase of
New York Energy Solution Construction

Construction of New York’s Clean Energy Superhighway is underway in portions of Rensselaer and Columbia counties.

New York Transco (Transco) officials were joined by New York State Sen. Daphne Jordan and labor and business leaders to celebrate the launch of the northern portion of the New York Energy Solution electric transmission upgrade project at an event in Ghent, Columbia County on May 6, 2021. The Environmental Management & Construction Plan (EM&CP) for this portion of the project received approval by the New York State Public Service Commission in mid-April. 

The NYES will modernize 80-year-old transmission infrastructure along a 55-mile existing corridor in Rensselaer, Columbia and Dutchess counties, alleviating energy bottlenecks and allowing for a greater flow of clean energy from upstate generation sources. The project will also improve the reliability and resiliency of the transmission system for homes and businesses. 

Transmission development is recognized nationally as key to facilitating a low-carbon future. NYES will help New York meet its nation-leading environmental goals by enabling delivery of renewable energy to demand centers. The project will also provide hundreds of construction jobs and leverage skilled union labor while supporting local economies through associated spending and increased property tax revenues. New York Transco is working closely with communities, farmers and other stakeholders in planning and construction of the project. 

“New York Transco is excited to begin this next phase of NYES construction in Schodack, Stuyvesant, Stockport, Ghent and Claverack,” said New York Transco President Victor Mullin. 

Mr. Mullin explained that the project will help solve two major energy challenges facing New York. “First, by modernizing the aging electric transmission infrastructure through this region, we will alleviate longstanding energy transmission bottlenecks and open up a greater flow of clean energy from north country wind, solar and hydroelectric generators,” he said. “These improvements will help New York State move toward meeting its mandate of 100% emissions-free energy by the year 2040.

“Second, modernizing this aging infrastructure will also improve the reliability and resiliency of the transmission system for homes and businesses, particularly during extreme storm events,” said Mr. Mullin.  “We will accomplish this through innovative station and line work and building more resilient infrastructure – all on existing transmission corridor and on utility-owned lands.”

“The New York Energy Solution is vital toward improving our energy delivery system, which benefits residents and businesses,” said Sen. Jordan, who represents the 43rd Senate District. “This initiative is critical toward improving function, reliability, and clean energy flows. When finalized, this project will relieve transmission system congestion and facilitate a more efficient and reliable flow of renewable energy from upstate resources to customers. Our state needs power to grow; a more efficient, modernized transmission system to facilitate the supply of renewable energy; to get our economy back on-line to meet future demand; and get folks back to work. This project will help deliver all of that – and more.”  

“Thank you to all the IBEW Members who are on the NYES Project and similar projects all over the country,” said Mark Lawrence, Business Manager for Local 1249 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  “We are a skilled work force that works with the highest level of craftsmanship and are pleased IBEW Local 1249 and other union members have been chosen for this project to keep New York switched on.”

In a provided written statement, Assemblyman Chris Tague of the 102nd Assembly District said, “Improving our infrastructure has been something we’ve all wanted to do for years, and I am glad that we’ve been able to make this happen for our electric grid. The work [Transco] is doing represents hope for a bright future of clean, dependable power, so I am elated to see this project come to fruition.” 

The Phase II northern route includes construction of a new switching station in Schodack and transmission line work from Schodack to Claverack. Work has been on-going since early March under Phase I with the laydown yards and the temporary structures for the rebuild of the Churchtown Switching Station in Claverack. All work will take place within an existing corridor or on other nearby utility-owned property.