SULLIVAN COUNY — The New York Power Authority (NYPA) recently announced they’re partnering with Invenergy and energyRe to modernize New York’s transmission lines.

Due to a congested and outdated electrical grid, New Yorkers are paying more than they have to for electricity. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) issued a request for proposals for renewable energy projects that will supply energy to downstate New York and selected Clean Path NY and one other project for approval.

Upstate New York has a wealth of natural resources that advocates say are being underutilized and Clean Path NY is said to be one step toward a clean energy future.

EnergyRe and Invenergy, in partnership with NYPA,  held public meetings this month in Monticello and Livingston Manor for local residents to learn more about the initiative.

Clean Path NY will be a subterranean transmission line running below existing NYPA right of ways from Delaware County to New York City. The project is intended to alleviate congestion by providing an additional 1,300 MW to New York City and provide an additional 3,800 MW of new wind and solar capacity in upstate New York.

According to Amy Varghese, Vice President of External Affairs for energyRe, the project is still in its early stages of approval and is expected to break ground in 2024 and be completed by 2027.

Clean Path NY will cost $11 billion, which Invenergy and energyRe will pay for. The maintenance will then be handled by NYPA.

Invenergy and energyRe will then recoup costs through usage of the transmission lines. Clean Path NY intends to create over 8,300 new jobs for New York construction contractors. They claim this project will result in 49 million tons of avoided CO2 emissions by 2040 and billions in avoided social and public health costs due to the reduced emissions.

Clean Path NY will also service disadvantaged communities as defined by The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) of 2019.

The CLCPA is one of the most aggressive clean energy and climate agendas in the country. Run by the Climate Action Council, the CLCPA is committed to providing 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040.

The CLCPA has yet to define disadvantaged communities, though the state has provided an interim definition so work can get underway. The towns of Liberty, South Fallsburg, and Monticello fit the current definition for disadvantaged communities and will likely see a positive impact on their energy bills once the project is complete.