October 13, 2006

Powerlines keep growing

NYSEG posted this message in yesterday's Ithaca Journal, page 5A:

PUBLIC NOTICE
Ithaca Transmission Project - New York State Electric and Gas Corporation

Pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law of the State of New York and implementing regulations (16 NYCRR Parts 85, 86, and 88), New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) intends to file with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of the State of New York, on or about October 23, 2006, as required by the PSC's order of August 23, 2006, an application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need authorizing the construction and operation of the Ithaca Transmission Project.

The electric transmission system that supplies Ithaca and the surrounding area is currently dependent on nearby power generation resources to be available and operating to ensure reliable service. Ordering Clause 9 of the PSC's order in Case 05-E-1222 issued on August 23, 2006, requires NYSEG to submit all government and regulatory filings necessary to reinforce transmission infrastructure in the Ithaca area. To comply with the ordering clause, NYSEG is proposing the Ithaca Transmission Project to eliminate the transmission limitations in the Ithaca area and maintain adequate normal and contingency service throughout NYSEG's Ithaca Division during extended outages (forced or planned) of the AES-owned Cayuga Station generating units.

The Ithaca Transmission Project will include four proposed components:

1. A new substation will be constructed next to the existing NYSEG substation on Clarks Corner Road in the Town of Lapeer, Cortland County. The existing NYSEG/National Grid Lafayette-Oakdale 345-kilovolt (kv) power line will be rebuilt to increase its capacity. The new facilities will be situated within the existing NYSEG right of way.

2. NYSEG's exisiting 15-mile, 115-kv transmission line from the new substation in the Town of Lapeer to NYSEG's Etna substation in the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County will be rebuilt to increase its capacity. The new facilities will be situated within the existing NYSEG right of way.

3. A new 15-mile, 115-kv transmission line from the new substation in the Town of Lapeer to NYSEG's Etna substation in the Town of Dryden will be constructed. This power line will be routed with an existing 115-kv line in the southern-most of NYSEG's rights of way between the towns of Lapeer and Dryden. NYSEG's existing right of way will be increased from Lapeer to just east of the western boundary of the Town of Harford (west of Southworth Road). The new facilities will be situtated in the existing right of way from this point to the NYSEG customer service center in the Town of Dryden. Additional right of way will be required adjacent to NYSEG's Etna substation.

4. NYSEG's Etna substation in the Town of Dryden will be modified to accomodate the new 115-kv transmission line. This work will be performed within the existing substation fence line.

During the course of the proceedings on this applications, parties may propose - without further publication - alternate routes.

The Application > The application, which will consist of a document and associated drawings, details the specific location of facilities, the manner in which they will be constructed and the environmental protection measures that will be implemented during construction.

Availability of the Application > Copies of the application will be made available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca; Town of Dryden Town Hall, 65 East Main Street, Dryden; Town of Harford Town Halla, 394 Route 38, Harford; and the Town of Lapeer Highway Department, Clarks Corners Road, Marathon.

For More Information > Anyone who needs additional information regarding the specific geographic location of the proposed project or the specific subject of the application should send a written request to: Bob Pass, Regional Manager - Community Outreach & Development, NYSEG, 1387 Dryden Road, Ithaca, NY 14850-8810.

This looks like it affects the lines that enter Dryden from Harford just north of Dryden Lake, which then continue through the Crystal Drive area and west across Irish Settlement, Yellow Barn, and Ringwood Roads south of Route 13 before they finally reach the NYSEG building and the Etna substation on Pinckney Road. While it looks like NYSEG won't be needing to acquire additional land or right-of-way in the Town, there may be more going across the same powerline area.

It's also somewhat surprising to learn that the Ithaca-area power supply is that dependent on AES Cayuga, formerly NYSEG's Milliken Station, the coal-fired power plant on Cayuga Lake in the Town of Lansing.

Posted by simon at October 13, 2006 12:25 PM in ,
Note on photos

2 Comments

Mary Ann said:

I hope I can make time to follow this issue. A couple of points raise questions.

1. This project is planned in order to maintain service to Ithaca "during extended outages (forced or planned)." I wonder if an outage is planned for AES.

2. "During the course of the proceedings on this application, parties may propose - without further publication - alternate routes." I wonder how to track changes proposed during the course of the proceedings if they will not be published.

Ronald Alexander said:

I live along the power line on South Knoll Dr.. Does right of way also give them the right of NEW construction? Thought it only gives them the right to maintain.