Groundbreaking in New York – Governor Kathy Hochul launches construction of the Champlain Hudson Power Express line

During an official groundbreaking ceremony, New York Governor Kathy Hochul launched construction work on the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line project. The CHPE power line will carry 10.4 terrawatthours of clean Québec hydroelectricity to New York City.

“We take great pride in our efforts and accomplishments of the past 15 years,” said Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Hydro-Québec. “This large-scale project will draw on our ingenuity to connect North America’s largest producer of clean energy to the Empire State and New York City. With the support of our allies in Kahnawà:ke, we will help develop our economies, powered by green energy. And we’ll do it together, in a great demonstration of regional cooperation.”

Ohénton ?:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Grand Chief of the Mohawk community of Kahnawà:ke, which will co-own the line in Québec; Donald Jessome, President and CEO of Transmission Developers Inc. (TDI); New York union representatives and Doreen Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy and Research Authority (NYSERDA) were present for the ceremony.

“The Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawks) of Kahnawà:ke have a strong personal attachment to the city of New York, as generations of ironworkers from every Kanien’kehá:ka community helped build several buildings and bridges that form the city skyline,” said Ohénton ?:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “Now, as a partner with Hydro-Quebec, we’ll be delivering clean and renewable energy to the city. This equates to the supply of electricity to power a million homes, or in terms of reducing carbon emissions, reducing the total amount of current emissions from New York City traffic by approximately 44%, reduces harmful carbon emissions and improves air quality. As Kanien'kehá:ka people, we are always mindful of the seven generations to come – this partnership solidifies efforts towards a cleaner environment, while creating more opportunity for Kahnawà:ke to carry out our responsibilities as stewards of the environment.”

“Québec and New York are long time allies. I am very proud that we can work together to achieve our ambitious climate objectives, for the benefit of future generations. Thanks to the remarkable work carried out by Hydro-Québec, TDI and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke, we have a historical agreement which will, in time, see Québec become the natural battery for North-east North America. With today’s groundbreaking, we are taking on together the energy transition. “ Martine Biron, ministre des Relations Internationales et de la Francophonie, ministre responsable de la Condition féminine.

Hertel–New York interconnection project

The CHPE project involves the construction of a 545-km line that will deliver 1,250 megawatts of clean, renewable hydropower yearly to New York City—enough to power more than one million homes.

By replacing a significant portion of the output of the city’s polluting thermal power plants, this energy supply will reduce the state’s carbon emissions as well as the atmospheric pollution related to electricity derived from fossil fuels, such as gas and oil. The reduction in atmospheric pollution is the equivalent to that of the closure of 15 polluting power plants in New York.

When the line is commissioned in 2026, Québec’s clean energy will meet 20% of the electricity needs of New York City, 90% of which is currently supplied by fossil fuels.

Hydro-Québec and TDI are honored by the widespread support the CHPE project has received throughout the State of New York and by the involvement of communities located along the future line right-of-way.

Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and Hydro-Québec partnership

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and Hydro-Québec will co-own the line that will be built in Québec to deliver the electricity to the interconnection point with the CHPE line—the Hertel–New York interconnection line—once it is commissioned. This agreement will secure economic benefits for the community over a 40-year term.

Hertel–New York interconnection line

In Québec, the project involves building a transmission line approximately 58 km long, which will follow existing road rights-of-way for nearly the entire route. The government permitting process is underway: the Hertel–New York project recently obtained its first government authorization in Québec from the Régie de l’énergie du Québec, which authorized construction of the line. The Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement recently announced that it had been mandated to conduct targeted consultations with regard to the project. The project will also be reviewed by the Canada Energy Regulator, given that it involves cross-border energy transmission.

According to the project schedule, construction work in Québec could start in the fall of 2023.

More information:
Lynn St-Laurent, Spokesperson
Spokesperson
Cell: 514 358-5218
st-laurent.lynn@hydroquebec.com