NYSEG Upgrading Electric Distribution System in Towns of Highland and Tusten

Resiliency investments to bring enhanced reliability to more than 1,900 customers

BINGHAMTON, NY — June 24, 2021 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) announced today that it has begun construction on a circuit upgrade project that will benefit more than 1,900 customers in the towns of Highland and Tusten. Construction has begun to upgrade sections of the Yulan 204 circuit, which delivers power to customers’ homes and businesses. The Yulan 204 Circuit is located in the southwestern area of the towns, near the Pennsylvania border.
 
“NYSEG is making these critical upgrades as part of the resiliency program to strengthen the system against more frequent and increasingly harsh weather events. These investments will enhance the reliability of service to the communities and customers we serve,” said Andy Gumkowski, Manager of Resiliency Field Projects at NYSEG.
 
“New York State is seeing more severe and violent storms that are causing significant damage to our aging electrical system,” said Senator Mike Martucci. “System reliability has been an issue in this area, and I am pleased that working with Assemblywoman Gunther and NYSEG, that these new upgrades announced today will provide greater resiliency and reliability that our communities deserve; and also allow for continued growth for future economic development in Sullivan County.”

The project will upgrade approximately 15 miles of power lines and bring enhanced reliability to approximately 1,937 customers. The project is part of the company’s Resiliency Program which proactively hardens the company’s system to continue providing safe and reliable service to all customers. As a result of this project, the Yulan 204 circuit will have created four self-tying loops that allow customers to receive their electricity through multiple paths. Creating these ties throughout the circuit provide for enhanced reliability of service.

“These upgrades are desperately needed in Sullivan County,” said Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. “With more and more people working and learning from home, as well as using telehealth services, a reliable electric grid is more important now than ever before. I want to thank NYSEG for investing in this vital infrastructure.”

In conjunction with construction, NYSEG also has started enhanced ground-to-sky tree trimming along the power lines to address any overgrowth of trees, branches and foliage which can break during storms and damage power infrastructure. Broken trees and branches are the leading cause of power interruptions for NYSEG customers and this effort included trimming from ground to sky and removing overhanging limbs to create a higher overhead clearance. Conducting the enhanced tree trimming ensures the circuit is better prepared for harsh storm conditions and works hand in hand with the resiliency upgrades.
 
“These upgrades have been a long-awaited improvement for the residents that are served by the 204 line and the modernization of how the power is transmitted will help to reduce the large power outages that resulted from the old system,” said Tusten Town Supervisor, Ben Johnson.

NYSEG advises customers that temporary and minor traffic delay may occur during the project period. The company also asks that motorist use extra caution when near crews and work zones.

The construction on this project began on June 1st and is expected to be completed in October 2021. A second phase of this project will resume next spring. 

NYSEG is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. 

# # #