Lockport-Batavia Line 112 Rebuild Project

Permitting

Article VII

National Grid submitted an application to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need under Article VII of the State Public Service Law on November 18, 2022. The Article VII process involves an evaluation of all potential impacts from the project and includes a detailed environmental assessment. Other agencies, like the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, are entitled to become parties to the Article VII process.

EM&CP

Once the project is certified under Article VII, National Grid will submit its Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP) to the PSC. The EM&CP includes best practices for construction as well as the project's final design.

After the EM&CP is approved, the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) will issue a Notice to Proceed with Construction. The community, including affected landowners, will receive a Construction Commencement Notice before the start of construction.

Other Agency Permits

Permits from other agencies are also required before construction can start.

Permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be required for project work over navigable waters and for work in federally regulated wetlands.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviews the project and makes determinations regarding structure heights and proximity to airfields.
A DEC State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit will be required for soil disturbances of greater than one acre of land.
New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) and local highway permits will also be required for various Project road crossings.

Public Involvement and Comment

The permitting process includes opportunities for public involvement and comment from permitting through construction. To contact National Grid with a question or comment, use the "Contact" form below.

How to Become a Party:

Interested persons who wish to participate as parties in this case may file a request for party status. This may be done through the Commission's web site. From the home page of the Commission's web site (www.dps.ny.gov), a prospective party should click on "Search." On the Search page, the "Search by Case Number" box should be filled in with the number for this case (Case 22-T-0654). This will bring the user to the main Document and Matter Management ("DMM") page for this case. On that page, the prospective party should click the button at the upper right labeled "Request for Party Status" to see a web page with instructions for the procedures to follow to make a request to become a party. A request to become a party to this case can be filed anytime while the case remains open with the Commission.

Title	Date	Size
Lockport Batavia Article VII Certificate Approval	09/24/2024	1.27 MB
Article VII Guide	09/19/2024	595 KB
Lockport- Batavia Line 112 Rebuild Presentation	11/28/2023	854 KB
PSC Virtual Information Forums and Public Statement Hearings	10/26/2023	112 KB
Virtual Information Session Postcard	09/15/2023	244 KB
Open House Invitation	08/07/2023	255 KB
Link to all Case Documents on the PSC DMM	11/18/2022
Article VII Application	11/18/2022
Fact Sheet	11/18/2022	350 KB
Visual Simulations	11/18/2022	8.72 MB

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Article VII Process?

National Grid submitted an application to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need under Article VII of the State Public Service Law on November 18, 2022. The Article VII process involves an evaluation of all potential impacts from the project and includes a detailed environmental assessment. Other agencies, like the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, are entitled to become parties to the Article VII process.

Q. Can National Grid acquire additional rights without landowner knowledge?

No. If property rights are needed from a landowner to construct, operate or maintain the project facilities, National Grid will contact the landowner to explain what rights are required and begin good faith negotiations for such rights.

Q. How will National Grid limit access to the right-of-way (ROW) during the construction of the project? Are all-terrain vehicles prohibited from entering it?

National Grid prohibits all unauthorized use of its property and will take steps to limit access to the right-of-way (ROW). If specific problems need to be addressed, National Grid will work with property owners and notify local authorities to resolve the issue. Measures to prevent unauthorized access to the ROW can include signage, access gates, traffic cones, and fencing.

Q: Why is National Grid performing this project?

National Grid identified a need to rebuild the Lockport-Batavia #112 transmission line due to asset condition and reliability concerns. The upgrading of the aging infrastructure is more cost effective than continued long term maintenance. The line will be replaced with modern technology and built to the most recent National Electrical Safety Code standards, improving safety, performance and reliability.

Q: Was placing the lines underground considered?

As part of its review of project alternatives, National Grid considered whether an underground transmission solution of the project would meet the identified need of replacing aged infrastructure and increasing reliability of the line. National Grid developed a conceptual design and conceptual route for an underground alternative and determined that an underground alternative could conceivably meet the project needs. However, the underground transmission alternative has significantly higher costs, significant operational disadvantages, and no significant environmental benefits. Overall, National Grid concluded that the project as proposed is a better solution compared to an underground transmission alternative. More information on this can be found in Exhibit 3, Alternatives, of the Article VII application.

Q. What is the proposed height of the new structures?

The project is comprised of several segments, each with a unique design and proposed transmission structure. Please see the Project Map and Project Segments below for information on what is proposed in your community.

Q. Where can I get more information about the Project?

The National Grid project team can be reached at 716-466-2007, or by email at [email protected]. Also, you may visit the Department of Public Service website at www.dps.ny.gov for project-related documents.

Q. Will trees be trimmed along the corridor?

Yes, tree trimming will need to occur along the corridor. This will enable construction crews to perform their work, along with making sure that the transmission line is built to the most recent codes. Detailed information on what will need to be cut will be available after the Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP) is developed and approved by the Public Service Commission.

Q. What if I have a fence or piece of property that is under the lines?

National Grid will work with you to discuss any items under the transmission line. If you have a concern, please use the "Contact" form below.

Q. What is the timeline of the Project from start to finish?

The project is currently in its permitting stage (see Permitting above). It is anticipated that construction will start in 2025 and the rebuilt line will be completed and in service by 2026. However, the timeline may shift due to permitting approvals and other requirements that National Grid must meet. Please check back here or contact us for updated information.

Q. Will National Grid be acquiring property rights (such as easements)?

Yes, there are some locations where members of our real estate team will be approaching adjoining landowners about acquiring property rights, such as easements. These property rights allow for project construction and enable an effective vegetation management program that helps to strengthen the reliability of the transmission line.

Project Segments

Typical new transmission structures throughout the project will be steel monopole structures. A project segment breakout can be found below.

Segment 1 begins in the City of Lockport in Niagara County and extends in an easterly direction for approximately half of a mile. The existing corridor contains six 115kV transmission circuits. Existing facilities in Segment 1 consist of a combination of wood pole and double-circuit lattice towers. The structures along this portion will be replaced with steel monopole structures.

Segment 2 extends from the Town of Lockport in an easterly direction for approximately 11 miles, into the Town of Royalton. The existing corridor contains six 115kV transmission circuits. Existing facilities in Segment 2 consist primarily of vintage steel tri-leg "aeromotor" single-circuit lattice towers. The structures along this section will be replaced with steel monopole structures.

Segment 3 begins in the Town of Royalton and extends in a generally southeast direction over a distance of approximately 2 miles to the Town of Alabama in Genesee County. Existing facilities in Segment 3 consist primarily of vintage steel "tri-leg" "aeromotor" single-circuit towers with the exception of a small number of replacement structures. These replacement structures are single-circuit wood pole delta davit arm structures. The structures along this portion will be replaced by steel monopole structures.

Existing Segment 4 is located in the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Alabama and is approximately 2 miles long. The project plan calls for removal of all wires and associated hardware with a number of the towers to remain in place to be used as habitat for wildlife species.

The new Segment 4, called Relocated Segment 4, will run parallel to Lewiston Road until it reaches Feeder Road, a distance of approximately 2 miles, all in the Town of Alabama. The newly constructed structures along this segment will be steel monopole structures.

Segment 5, located in the Town of Alabama, extends southeast for approximately 1.5 miles. Existing facilities in Segment 5 consist of primarily of vintage steel tri-leg "aeromotor" single -circuit towers with the exception of a small number of replacement structures. These replacement structures are single- circuit wood pole delta davit arm structures. The structures along this section will be replaced with steel monopole structures.

Segment 6, located in the Town of Alabama, is located on the site of the Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park being developed by the Genesee County Economic Development Center. Segment 6 will be rebuilt along a new route around the development site. The work on Segment 6 is not part of this project. It is scheduled to be completed by July 2022.

Segment 7, also located in the Town of Alabama, runs southeasterly then easterly approximately 2.5 miles. Existing facilities in Segment 7 consist primarily of vintage steel tri-leg "aeromotor" single-circuit towers with the exception of a small number of replacement structures. These replacement structures are single-circuit wood pole delta davit arm structures, guyed wood single pole dead-end structures, and guyed wood three pole dead-end structures. The structures along this section will be replaced with steel monopole structures, with the exception of one location. The final structure in Segment 7 will be a galvanized steel H-Frame dead-end structure.

Construction Process

Rebuilding an electric transmission line involves a variety of activities set out in phases. Below are sample descriptions and photos; actual construction sequencing, methods, and materials will vary.

1. Site Preparation:
The first phase of site preparation and construction is tree and brush clearing. Clearing allows construction crews to build access roads and remove any trees that are in danger of falling into the transmission lines. Marshaling yards will be established for temporary storage of materials and staging of construction crews.

2. Environmental Controls:
Next, environmental controls would be installed to mitigate construction impacts to the area. These can include matting, silt fences, and concrete washout structures and containers, among others.

photo of transmission lines and a truck servicing them

3. Transmission Line Rebuilding:
The next phase would be transmission line rebuilding, where foundations are poured, structures are spotted and erected, and new wire is strung and energized. Old structures will be removed from the transmission right-of-way. This work would be done with a variety of equipment, including cranes and other heavy equipment.

4. Restoration:
The final phase of construction is ground surface restoration, in which the construction area is restored to its pre-construction condition (unless otherwise specified in regulatory requirements or landowner agreements).