Transmission line options aired
A newly proposed transmission line for the planned Galloo Island Wind Farm could make landfall at the southern end of the village of Sackets Harbor or south of Dexter in Black River Bay before running to National Grid's outer Coffeen Street substation.
Those are two new options for landfall among six new alternative transmission line routes filed Feb. 17 with the Public Service Commission. Upstate NY Power Corp. was given more time March 2 by an administrative law judge to look into these alternatives.
The developer also will consider an all-underwater route to Scriba and different capacities for the preferred route compared with the original 230-kilovolt double-circuit line. The developer also will investigate a 230-kilovolt route entirely underground, a 230-kilovolt single-ciruit line and a 115-kilovolt double-circuit line.
"While the Applicant had hoped to complete the permitting process by year's end, in light of these comments and discussions, it recognizes that the public and the process will be best served by taking time at the outset to develop the additional detailed analysis that the commenters have requested," wrote attorney James A. Muscato II, of Young, Sommer, Ward, Ritzenberg, Baker & Moore LLC, Albany, representing Upstate NY Power Corp.
In January 2009, the Galloo Island developer filed an application with the Public Service Commission for a 50.6-mile line that would make landfall at Stony Point in Henderson, then turn south through Ellisburg, Sandy Creek and Richland to connect to a larger line in Mexico. That route was greeted with vocal opposition and votes in the Jefferson and Oswego county legislatures against it.
Along with requests for more alternative route information from the Department of Public Service, the state government branch that supports the PSC, the opposition led Upstate NY Power to investigate other route options.
As part of the negotiations in Jefferson County for a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the on-island development, Upstate NY Power told county officials they would not pursue the original route as the preferred route. Instead, county officials want to see a connection at the Coffeen Street substation, which would require an upgrade of the infrastructure there.
Other alternative routes include connections at substations in West Adams and Lighthouse Hill in the town of Orwell.
As part of the suspension, Kevin J. Casutto, the administrative law judge, agreed with Department of Public Service staff that Upstate NY Power will add more community outreach as part of the consideration of alternatives. A new schedule for considering the application and community outreach plans will be worked out by department staff and the developer. The plans will be filed for a judge's ruling by March 17.
