About 41% of New York State’s 11,600 miles of high-voltage transmission lines are so old that they will need to be replaced during the next 30 years at a cost of more than $25 billion, according to a new study by an electric utility group. The study, the second phase of a long-term NYS transmission system assessment, identifies another $2.5 billion worth of incremental upgrades to existing lines and construction of new lines. The assessment includes current and future infrastructure demands and suggestions to improve the system’s reliability.
The study outlines several possible fixes to various parts of the transmission system, which faces challenges including a lack of capacity to handle current and future congestion. Bottlenecks in the system cost consumers $1.1 billion in 2010, according to the State Transmission Assessment and Reliability Study (STARS). It cites benefits of upgrading or replacing transmission lines including easing congestion, improving reliability, as well as creating jobs and economic growth.