Utility to use geological maps for line locations

Approval was given for Central Hudson to use Geological Survey maps to define where its transmission lines are located.

ALBANY, N.Y. » State Public Service Commission approval has been given for Central Hudson to use U.S. Geological Survey maps instead of state highway maps to define where its transmission lines are located.

The approval was given during a meeting last week and represents one of nearly two dozen issues the utility is dealing with in efforts to replace lattice work towers with single poles along a 23.6-mile route from Kingston to Catskill.

“The older structures, some are lattice towers and some are wood, will be removed and replaced with these Corten steel towers,” utility spokesman John Maserjian said.

“These towers are stronger than the older towers that they’re replacing and the materials used are part of our storm-hardening investments as we replace aging infrastructure,” he said. “They are physically stronger than the material used in 1928, particularly where the towers are replacing wood poles.”

Under the plan there will be 256 structures replaced by 229 structures that are designed to have better storm resilience. Officials, in a legal notice, report the new structures will be at the “same height or slightly taller” than the 77-foot tall lattice work towers.

The new structures will also carry a line that is upgraded to increase carrying capacity from 69 kilovolts to 115 kilovolts.

“While rebuilding the line it simply makes sense to allow the line to operate at a higher voltage if that should become necessary in the future rather than building it to its current standard and being without that capability down the line,” Maserjian said.

Utility officials, who estimate the project will cost $41.05 million, expect the work to start in 2020 and take about two years to complete.

Public Service Commission officials in an April 3 letter provided Central Hudson with a list of deficiencies that need to be addressed before the application can be approved. Included are:

• Providing proof that the state Agriculture and Markets and state Thruway Authority have been provided with copies of the application.

• Having a table of contents for sections of the application with exhibits of 10 pages or more.

• Not providing aerial photographs showing at lease 1,200 feet on each side of the corridor used for the transmission line.

• Providing a statement explaining what consideration was given to use of any alternative routes and alternative methods that could fulfill energy requirements at comparable costs.

• Submitting architectural drawings and descriptions of the proposed structures.

• Issuing a statement on the impacts that construction would have on residential, commercial and industrial areas adjacent to the work zone.

• Failing to include details about the historical data used when estimating costs for the project.

The commission is also seeking more information about the salvage value of

lines that will be taken down, community outreach that has been done to provide information to

residents near the project, impacts on television reception from 14 stations that have coverage in the work zone, and impacts from moving 1.2 miles of line away from the Great Vly Wildlife Management Area.