Project Need

Transmission Lines 965, 963, and 978 are 115 kV lines located within NYSEG’s Hornell and Elmira Service Divisions. Together, the lines extend approximately 40 miles and connect the existing Bath and Montour Falls Substations to the Ridge Road and Hillside Substations.

Line 965 is supported by wooden H-frame structures, while Lines 963 and 978 share steel lattice towers. These assets are nearing the ends of their useful lives: the conductor averages approximately 80 years old, and the lattice towers are approximately 68 years old.

Montour Falls Substation is an existing facility in the Elmira Division that was built in 1929 and is approximately 97 years old. The substation is located in a low-lying area near the 100-year and 500-year floodplains, creating significant flooding concerns.

Project Purpose

As energy needs continue to grow, the CSTE Project will modernize critical electric infrastructure, replace aging equipment, and strengthen the reliability of the transmission system. The Project will help ensure that homes, businesses, and communities have access to safe and dependable electric service while providing additional capacity to support New York State's evolving energy needs. These improvements will benefit customers throughout Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties, as well as communities across New York State.

Upgrade Project Scope Includes:

CSTE will include replacement of the lines with upgraded conductors built on light duty steel monopoles. The lines will be built on an offset, to minimize any outages. This upgrade will result in significant increase in the rating of the lines and addresses asset condition concerns, deliverability constraints, and creates additional headroom for energy transmission in the grid.

Project Scope

The CSTE Project is expected to include the following improvements:

• Rebuilding approximately 22 miles of Line 965 from the Bath Substation with modern steel H-frame structures and upgraded conductor to improve reliable electric service.
• Building a new Montour Falls Substation with updated equipment at a location out of the floodplain to help reduce flood-related risks.
• Rerouting existing transmission lines so they connect safely and efficiently to the new Montour Falls Substation.
• Replacing Lines 963 and 978 with upgraded conductors on steel monopoles, replacing the existing large steel lattice towers with a more modern transmission line design.

Regional Benefits

• Consists of local transmission system upgrades required to support New York’s energy goals.
• The Project will relieve existing constraints on existing and projected future generation facilities delivering power to the electric grid.
• The Project will generate numerous ancillary economic benefits to our community partners.
• The most direct infusion to the local economy will come from employment opportunities associated with construction of the Project and of future generation facilities. Worker income will be spent in local communities on consumer goods and services such as housing, healthcare, and food, while property taxes will directly support the communities in which the Project and future renewable generation facilities are located.
• The Project is needed for NYSEG to ensure electric generation deliverability and capacity throughout its Elmira and Hornell Divisions.
• The Project also upgrades assets that are near the end of their useful life.

NYSEG is actively developing the Project to avoid and minimize negative impacts to the community and the environment. Early Project planning efforts have included the completion of resource assessments to clarify important planning considerations such as streams and wetlands; soil characteristics; cultural resources; and sensitive plant and animal species. Active regulatory coordination, reviews and permitting efforts are under way for initial phases of the Project. NYSEG will seek reviews, consultations and/or permits from the following federal and state administrative agencies for the Project:

• NYS Public Service Commission
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Federal Aviation Administration
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• NYS Department of Transportation
• Other permits as may be necessary