NYSEG Strengthening Electric Infrastructure in Essex County

Upgrades to the company’s line 880 in Ausable, Chesterfield and Willsboro will bring increased reliability to customers 

BINGHAMTON, NY — August 16, 2021 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) announced today it has begun transmission line upgrades in the towns of Ausable, Chesterfield and Willsboro on the company’s Line 880, which delivers power to customers’ homes and businesses. The project will bring increased reliability to roughly 1,850 customers in Essex County. It is part of the NYSEG’s commitment to provide safe and reliable service to all customers and is expected to be completed by November 2022.

“Willsboro’s experience in the last few years with more frequent and stronger storms has shown the need for proactive preparedness,” said Shaun Gillilland, Town of Willsboro Supervisor. “The efforts by NYSEG to do this are welcomed despite some near-term inconvenience. The town’s partnership with NYSEG is truly appreciated.”

The project will rebuild more than eight miles of 46-kV transmission line from the intersection of Mace Chasm Road and State Route 22 to the intersection of Game and Fish Road and State Route 22. This will include installing new wire and upgrading existing utility poles to more resilient and durable poles. In addition to typical wood poles, some of these poles are specially designed with weathering steel and laminated wood to more naturally blend in with the Adirondack Park landscape.

A majority of the project work will take place off-road in backlots, with only roughly one mile of construction taking place roadside. NYSEG follows the strictest environmental standards on all projects and will be using timber matting in designated wetland areas as a precautionary measure to reduce any environmental impacts.
 
“We are excited to get construction underway for NYSEG and the customers in the area,” said Adam Aesch, Project Manager at NYSEG. “Line 880 was identified for upgrades after a recent reliability study of our transmission lines. The project will harden the system and create more reliable service for our customers day-to-day as well as during weather events.”

The Line 880 rebuild is one of the several local investments NYSEG is making in its delivery system to provide additional power to meet growing demand, increase reliability, and accommodate growth and economic development in its service areas. Recently, the company also completed rebuild projects on Line 871-872 in Schuyler Falls, Plattsburgh and Saranac; Line 879 in Plattsburgh, Peru and Ausable; and Line 885 in Saranac and Dannemora. Additionally, NYSEG is planning to rebuild 13-miles of transmission line 890, which runs from the Raquette Lake to the Blue Mountain Lake substation.

NYSEG advises customers that temporary and minor increases in construction-related traffic on State Route 22 and State Route 9 are expected during the project period.

NYSEG is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc.

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About NYSEG: New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1852, NYSEG operates approximately 35,000 miles of electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than 40% of upstate New York. It also operates more than 8,150 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 20 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 894,000 electricity customers and 266,000 natural gas customers. For more information, visit nyseg.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

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