New York Begins Construction on 1.2-GW U.S.-Canada Transmission Line

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Nov. 30 announced the start of of construction activities of the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a 1,250-megawatt transmission line that will supply hydropower from Canada to New York city. This initiative, planned to be commissioned in 2026, will help the state achieve its goals under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires the state to source 70 percent of its power from renewable energy by 2030.

The endeavor is one of two contracts for transmission projects by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority representing the largest renewable energy and transmission projects contracted for the state in the last 50 years. The other contract is with Clean Path NY to deliver solar and wind energy from upstate New York through a 1,300-megawatt power line.

The project contractor Transmission Developers Inc. will place the high voltage direct current cable in waterways and bury the cable along existing road and rail corridors. Following an agreement between the company and the New York State Building and Construction Trades, the transmission project is expected to create about 1400 jobs while also bringing $3.5 billion in economic benefits to New York. The project is managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority under the state’s unique renewable energy and transmission program called Tier 4. The Tier 4 program is designed to increase renewable sources in the energy mix in the state of New York and lower the dependence on fossil fuels.

The Champlain Hudson project is designed to deliver clean energy to nearly one million households and cut 37 million metric tons of carbon emissions in the state. In October, the New York Public Service Commission approved the first Environmental Management and Construction Plan for a 17.6-mile stretch of the transmission route between Putnam and Whitehall. The early phase of construction works includes site preparation and laydown yard construction that will start in Washington County and is expected to last through November 2024.

The project will benefit 73 municipalities and 59 school districts across the state, and it is expected to disburse nearly $30 million in funds in the first stage. This funding includes $12 million to the industrial development agencies in the counties that the transmission line passes through, and the initial $2.5 million to kickstart the $40 million Green Economy Fund to support workforce development in disadvantage communities.

On Sept. 15, the commission approved plans for the company to secure up to $6 billion in private financing, up from $4.5 billion previously allowed for the project.