Smart Path Connect
The Smart Path Connect Transmission Project
Smart Path Connect is a part of a comprehensive portfolio of transmission upgrades being undertaken across New York State to support New York State’s clean energy goals. Together, the projects will enable the flow of an additional 1,000 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable energy across New York State.
NYPA is undertaking the Smart Path Connect transmission project with National Grid. The project will rebuild approximately 100 miles of transmission. including approximately 55 miles running East-West to be rebuilt by NYPA, and 45 miles running North-South to be rebuilt by National Grid. The work will involve replacing aging wood H-frames with steel poles almost exclusively within existing transmission rights-of-way and replace or upgrade approximately 10 substations along the project path.
Project Benefits:
- Increases power flow capacity
- Improves asset condition
- Increases transmission system resilience to severe weather events
- Creates longer spans between poles
- Uses fewer poles and less land
- Reduces transmission system congestion
- Creates hundreds of local jobs during construction
New York’s Green Energy Superhighway
Smart Path Connect is critical to realizing the full potential of renewable energy in the Northern New York area and meeting the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) targets.
The project complements and expands upon both NYPA’s Smart Path which was completed in June 2023, and the Central East Energy Connect transmission upgrade project which NYPA undertook with LS Power Grid New York in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. View map.
With the addition of the Smart Path Connect, these investments will establish a continuous, more resilient 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission path that greatly expands the deliverability of renewable power from northern and central regions to high demand areas across the state. The transmission work being undertaken by NYPA is also consistent with the Power Authority’s new VISION2030 Strategic Plan which is focused on helping New York meet its clean energy goal of having a zero-carbon emission energy system by 2040.
Did You Know?
VISION2030: Transmission
NYPA’s VISION2030 plan includes NYPA’s intention to facilitate the rapid development of transmission assets to achieve the clean energy goals of NYS.
Map of Smart Path Connect
The Smart Path Connect in two sections: one from Massena to Clinton and one from Croghan to Marcy.
In the Press
In November 2023, Governor Hochul announced progress on the Smart Path Connect project
The Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on April 3, 2020, provides for the “timely and cost-effective construction of new, expanded and upgraded distribution... to achieve clean energy and environmental targets established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.” The Act directs the Public Service Commission (PSC) to identify projects for which "there is a need to proceed expeditiously to promote the State's public policy goals."
On July 2, 2020, NYPA submitted a petition to the PSC for the development of the Smart Path Connect (formerly the Northern New York Priority Transmission Project) which was approved by an order dated October 15, 2020. The Project is a multi-faceted project that includes completion of the second phase of NYPA’s 86-mile Smart Path Moses-Adirondack rebuild, rebuilding approximately 45 miles of transmission eastward from Massena to the Town of Clinton, known as the Northern Alignment, and rebuilding approximately 55 miles of transmission southward from Croghan to Marcy, known as the Southern Alignment, as well as rebuilding and expanding several substations along the impacted transmission corridor. The work falls almost exclusively within existing transmission rights-of-way.
Why is this work being done?
The wooden structures currently in place for most of the project length and related infrastructure are aging and vulnerable to harsh weather. Maintenance is more frequent and difficult because compatible materials are not readily available. Additionally, most of the work will involve upgrading the existing lines from 230kV to 345kV, increasing power flow capability.
Are there any other benefits of this work?
Rebuilding the line so it is all on steel structures will reduce maintenance and improve resiliency, allowing for a more efficient, reliable flow of electricity. Use of local trades and businesses during design, permitting & construction. Increased activity at restaurants, hotels and suppliers.
Has any thought been given to placing the new line underground?
Placing the line underground, much of which is rock, is not technically or economically feasible.
How can the public get involved?
The public will have many opportunities for providing input through the New York State Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Article VII environmental review process that is required for the rebuilding. NYPA will make all project applications and related information publicly available. The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) reviews input from public, stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
Have environmental impacts been factored into the Design?
Yes. The proposed steel monopoles have a smaller footprint on the land than the current wooden H-frames. Approximately 50 percent fewer structures will be needed due to longer spans between monopoles.
What is the schedule for work and when will it be completed?
Licensing and engineering studies began in 2020 and will continue through 2021. Construction to rebuild the line is expected to begin in 2022 and end in approximately 2025.
NYPA and National Grid hosted a series of public meetings or webinar events for soliciting community input on the Project.
The Public Meeting Webinars (held in April 2021) were thirty-minute presentations, followed by a Q&A session. Participants had the opportunity to view preliminary designs, ask questions and offer comments.
The webinars were recorded and will be posted to this webpage at a later date.
Presentations focusing on the Northern Alignment from Massena to Clinton were hosted on Tuesday, April 6 at 2 pm, and Thursday, April 8 at 6 pm.
Presentations focusing on the Southern Alignment from Croghan to Marcy were hosted on Thursday, April 8 at 2 pm, and Tuesday, April 13 at 6 pm.
November 21, 2023: Governor Hochul announced progress on the Smart Path Connect project
December 9, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on Smart Path Connect Transmission Line
August 11, 2022: Governor Hochul Announces Approval of Major Upstate Transmission Line
March 30, 2021: New York Power Authority Board of Trustees Approves Northern New York Priority Transmission Project Plan
December 9, 2020: NYPA Approves New Strategic Plan to Provide Clean Energy Roadmap for Next Decade
October 30, 2020: NYPA Invites Interested Parties to Propose Co-Participant Roles for the Development of the Northern New York Priority Transmission Project
October 15, 2020: First Transmission Project Moves Forward Under Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act
NYPA and National Grid will pursue certification and regulatory review through the New York Public Service Commission’s Article VII Process. The Article VII process requires a full environmental review of any major transmission facility’s siting, design, construction, and operation in New York State.
The project will comply with all applicable state and federal laws. Certificates and permits will be sought from the appropriate agencies including the New York State Public Service Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Agriculture and Markets and the NYS Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Office.
August 23, 2024
Land Surveying and Right-of-Way (ROW) Access: Survey crews continue surveying and staking near Marcy Substation in the towns of Marcy and Trenton. Structure staking crews are working near Bethel Road in the Town of Steuben. Access roads and work pads are being constructed in the Marcy Substation area following the survey crews.
Drilling, Foundation, and Transmission Line Work: Drilling, structure spotting, erecting, and grounding work continues in the towns of Marcy and Trenton around the Marcy Substation.
Substation Work: Crews are installing conduit and performing excavation work at the Edic Road Substation as part of the station buildout.
Haverstock (200 Fregoe Road, Massena NY):
- Foundation crew off on rotation
- Set Sabre steel structures ST-10, ST11
- Phase 1 conduit installs and finish phase 2 conduits.
Adirondack (7802 Effley Falls Road, Croghan NY):
- Set poles for switch installation
- Install insulators and above ground conduits.
- Prepare for ground grid backfill.
- Foundation contractor offsite
Willis 345/230kV (895 County Route 33, Chateaugay NY):
- Prepare to demobilize foundation crew
- Continue installing conduit
- Construct upper retention pond
Marcy (Glass Factory Road, Utica NY):
- Contractor continues civil work on swale installation.
- Install above ground equipment (junction boxes, mini power center).
- Continue steel installation
- Prepare for cable pulls
- Continue above grade conduit installation
Patnode (100 Patnode Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Receive Clearance for outage 1.3
- Erect A-frames and H-frames
- Install new foundations
Ryan (500 Ryan Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Crew offsite
Massena (524 County Road 37, Massena, NY):
- Continue conduit installation
- Pour new foundations
Week Ending 4/14/24:
Haverstock (200 Fregoe Road, Massena NY):
- Foundation crew continue drilling, casing, rebar installs and pouring concrete between bays 6 and 7. Flat work continues on load bank foundations.
- Continue conduits installation where steel installs allow.
- Continue Sabre steel installation of ST11 and ST10B. Potentially install capital steel ST-8 structures.
Adirondack (7802 Effley Falls Road, Croghan NY):
- Set poles for switch installation
- Install insulators and above ground conduits.
- Prepare for ground grid backfill.
- Foundation contractor offsite
Willis 345/230kV (895 County Route 33, Chateaugay NY):
- Continue installing conduit
- Construct Western sediment pond
- Prep and set steel
Marcy (Glass Factory Road, Utica NY):
- Contractor continues civil work on swale installation.
- Install above ground equipment (junction boxes, mini power center).
- Continue steel installation
- Prepare for cable pulls
- Continue above grade conduit installation
Patnode (100 Patnode Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Erect A-frames and H-frames
- Install new foundations
Ryan (500 Ryan Road, Churubusco, NY):
- Crew offsite
Massena (524 County Road 37, Massena, NY):
- Continue conduit installation
- Continue foundation work on F3 and F1 foundations.
March 29, 2024 New York Power Authority Construction Update
Transmission Line Two Week Look Ahead
Week Ending 4/7/24
Haverstock Substation to Adirondack Substation Transmission Lines
- Crews offsite
Haverstock Substation to Willis Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 22/2S to 28/3S.
- Spotting structure along MW2
- Setting structure and direct embeds at various spots along HW2
- Demo of MW2 structures along Regan Flats Rd, Cold Springs Rd and HWY 95.
- Helicopter to mobilize 3/29/24. Wire pulls throughout the week.
Willis to Patnode Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 1/1N to 2/3N.
- Spotting structure along WPN1 ROW
- Road building and matting along Patnode RD and HWY 374
Week Ending 4/14/24:
Haverstock Substation to Adirondack Substation Transmission Lines
- Crews offsite
Haverstock Substation to Willis Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 22/2S to 32/1S.
- Spotting structure along MW2
- Setting structure and direct embeds at various spots along HW2
- Demo of MW2 structures along Scanlon Rd and Quain Rd.
- Helicopter use throughout week for wire pulls.
Willis to Patnode Substation
- Drilling and foundation work on HW2 from structures from 1/1N to 2/3N.
- Road building and matting along Patnode RD and HWY 374
Jeff Farrell
Real Estate Administrator
Phone: 315-764-6837
Jeffrey.Farrell@nypa.gov
Karen White
Manager, Community Relations
New York Power Authority
Phone: 315-764-6863
Karen.White@nypa.gov
Or call: 866-697-8758
For Landowner consultations along the Southern Alignment, please contact:
Amy Rood
Stakeholder Relations
nationalgrid
Phone: 315-401-0065
Amy.Rood@nationalgrid.com