Comments due regarding National Grid’s proposed reconstruction of 27.44 miles of transmission lines in Lewis County

Case 25-T-0195 - Petition of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need, Pursuant to Article VII, for the Reconstruction of Approximately 27.44 Miles of 115kV Transmission Line from the Existing Black River Substation in the Town of LeRay, Jefferson County, to the New Beaver River Substation in the Town of Croghan, Lewis County, Traversing the Towns of LeRay, Rutland, Champion, and Wilna, the Villages of Black River and Carthage in Jefferson County, and the Town of Croghan in Lewis County.

To submit comments, fill out the Case 25-T-0195 comment form.

On March 28, 2025, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid (the Applicant) filed an application pursuant to Public Service Law Article VII for a certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need seeking authorization to construct, operate, and maintain the Black River – Beaver River 115 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Rebuild Project (the Project). The Project involves rebuilding about 27.44 miles of 115 kV transmission lines between the existing Black River Substation in the Town of LeRay, Jefferson County, and the new Beaver River Substation in the Town of Croghan, Lewis County. (The construction of the new Beaver River Substation is not included in this application; it is the subject of a separate Article VII application, filed in Case 25-T-0178.)  The Project transverses the Towns of LeRay, Rutland, Champion, and Wilna, and the Villages of Black River and Carthage in Jefferson County, and the Town of Croghan in Lewis County. The rebuild would include the replacement of the existing double circuit wood structures, single and double circuit lattice structures, and double circuit tubular steel poles with new single circuit, direct-embedded engineered steel, davit arm monopoles for tangent suspension and single circuit, engineered steel monopole structures on drilled pier concrete caisson foundations for angle, dead-end, and tap structures.

The Applicant proposes to primarily rebuild the existing transmission line within the existing right-of-way (ROW), with a segment of line requiring a new ROW. The Applicant owns a combination of fee and easement rights over the length of the Project. Additional easement rights will be needed for the relocated lines on the new ROW, as well as expanded rights in portions of the existing ROW. The Applicant maintains that the Project is necessary to ensure its continued provision of safe and reliable service and to achieve the objectives of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act within the Watertown/Oswego/Porter Area of Concern.