ABOUT TRANSMISSION
Modernizing the Electric Transmission System is Essential to Our Economy, Security & Communities
Our nation’s – and New York State’s – electric grid is at a critical juncture. Demand for electricity is rising quickly and our aging, constrained electric transmission infrastructure needs to be modernized and expanded to meet our growing needs. Learn more about the importance of our transmission system and the challenges it faces using the resources below.
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Delivering Electricity, No Matter How It’s Made
America’s electric transmission system is a complex network of high voltage lines and substations that transports electricity, above ground and under, to wherever it’s needed. No matter how our electricity is made, it goes nowhere without transmission.
Powering Our Daily Lives
Much like our nation’s network of highways and other critical infrastructure, a modern electric transmission system is foundational for safe, successful, and sustainable communities and economies. It powers our homes, businesses, hospitals and schools.
Our Infrastructure is Aging and Limited
Our vital electric transmission system is challenged by aging infrastructure that struggles to keep up with today’s growing demands and extreme weather. According to the New York state grid operator, 80% of New York’s transmission system was built before 1980 and some dates back nearly 100 years.
Electric Demand is Rapidly Increasing
With society’s increasing dependence on electrical devices and the addition of energy-intensive industry, the New York state grid operator says demand for electricity in the state could increase by nearly 70% by 2030.
Powering Our Daily Lives
A modern, expanded electric transmission system is needed to reliably power our daily lives, keep our economy running, and protect national security. Rising electric demand, combined with increasingly severe weather, heat waves and cyber threats challenge the system’s vulnerabilities like never before.
Minimizing Energy Bottlenecks
A modern, expanded electric transmission system is needed to relieve system congestion. Aging, over-capacity electric transmission lines prevent efficient, effective and economic power flow. Expanding and modernizing the network ensures the ability for operational flexibility, adequate power flows, and bolstered reliability and resiliency.
Collaborating With Our Communities
By working together – with customers, communities and the environment in mind – transmission developers, local and state government officials, community members and all stakeholders can ensure that our electric transmission system is able to meet our increasing energy needs safely and reliably for years to come.
