175-Mile Transmission Line Project Changes Hands Community Impacts Are Detrimental, Officials Say

Map of the NYPA 175-mile Underground Transmission Line Project.

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has taken sole responsibility for the 175-mile transmission line construction project following Clean Path New York's withdrawal from the contract. Delaware County Director of Planning and Watershed Affairs Shelly Johnson-Bennett said the shift eradicates any mitigation measures previously in place to offset local impacts.

Clean Path was selected by NYSERDA (New York Energy Research and Development Authority) for a Renewable Energy Award to develop a 1,300-megawatt underground transmission line from the Fraser Substation in Delhi to the Rainey Substation in Queens in 2021.

While the project was already set to run on NYPA's existing right of ways, Johnson-Bennett said Clean Path was required to pay local property taxes. In addition to tax revenue, other long-term host community benefits were being negotiated including lower local energy bills. With these expenses, Johnson-Bennett said Clean Path determined the project financially infeasible.

Since NYPA is a public entity as opposed to a private one, Johnson-Bennett said they are tax-exempt and don't require local community involvement.

The project aligns with New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, which contains a zero-emissions target by 2040. According to Johnson-Bennett, none of the power generated will remain in local communities. Watershed Communities depend 90% on nuclear energy, which is considered renewable, she explained, while downstate relies heavily on fossil fuel.

New York State does not consider Nuclear energy renewable, however, it is recyclable. The state is exploring advanced nuclear technologies to help meet emissions-free goals.

Johnson-Bennett and Kenvin Young of Young & Sommer LLC, who contracts with the county, argue none of the project benefits enhance Delaware County. Instead, the two note nearly ten areas of concern - crossing 120 streams and 35 roads requiring heavy equipment use damaging roads over time, fire, emergency, and police response obligations, increases in electricity cost due to increase in demand, indirect impacts from other renewable energy projects seeking proximity to the converter and transmission lines, additional transmission line infrastructure, and potential deprivation of property tax totaling over 100 million dollars over 24 years.

Johnson-Bennett highlighted the concern about increasing electricity costs. Local communities have already seen energy bills 3-4 times the amounts from 2024, she explained. "One-third of Delaware County residents can't afford at least one basic necessity (childcare, utilities, food, health related expenses, mortgage)," she said. If they can't afford basic needs they can not take on a higher energy bill, Johnson-Bennett argued.

Harpersfield Supervisor Lisa Driscoll said many of her residents have come into town hall complaining about rising utility bills. "People in my town can't eat," she protested.

Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield emphasized the fire safety concerns, noting a recent substation fire in another upstate community took many days to fight, causing shutdowns and confusion.

Supervisors invited Young to the next regular meeting on Wednesday, March 12 to present and answer questions on the issue. Supervisors are expected to vote on a resolution in opposition to the project without assessment of local concerns.