The U.S. Department of Energy on July 24 selected 20 projects across 16 states to receive up to $371 million to accelerate the permitting of high-voltage, interstate transmission projects and support community infrastructure projects along major new and upgraded transmission lines.
Included among the recipients is the New York Power Authority. NYPA will implement the Propel NY Energy Sustainable Communities Initiative, which will make funding available to disadvantaged communities impacted by the Propel NY transmission project.
The initiative would work with local schools, housing authorities, and community service agencies to develop clean energy education and job opportunities for residents in disadvantaged communities.
The DOE investment for NYPA is $43,538,714, the federal agency noted.
NYPA “is pleased to have been selected for this Transmission Siting and Economic Development funding made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act. Upgrading New York’s transmission infrastructure is critical to the resilience and reliability of New York’s grid, and this federal funding will help ensure that under-resourced communities along the Propel NY Energy line’s route can experience even greater benefits from New York’s growing clean energy economy,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll.
The Propel transmission line a 90-mile innovative electric transmission project that will improve reliability, resiliency and the delivery of clean energy -- including offshore wind -- through electric grid improvements in parts of Long Island, New York City and Westchester County. NYPA is developing the line with New York Transco.
Administered by DOE's Grid Deployment Office, the Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) grants will help advance at least 16 high-impact transmission lines across the country.
The exact amount of funding will depend on award negotiations, which may take up to 120 days, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said in a July 29 news release about the funding for NYPA.
The TSED program includes two distinct grants: grants for siting and permitting activities and grants for economic development activities.
GDO selected four siting and permitting projects for a combined federal investment of more than $17 million. GDO selected 16 economic development projects for a combined investment of more than $353 million.
DOE expects to release the second TSED funding opportunity in Fall 2024.
