In an effort to correct inaccuracies and provide the most up-to-date information to stakeholders, landowners, and citizens, we here at National Grid want to share the following with you.
You may have recently received or viewed an email from Scenic Hudson, an opponent to the much-needed transmission upgrades. Included was a misleading graphic of what the new transmission system would look like in the Hudson Valley. The graphic misinformed the public, rather than provide a fair assessment of the upgrades. The graphic shows the current lattice transmission structures standing approximately 80-90 feet tall. Scenic Hudson’s graphic also shows the proposed monopole transmission structures standing at 120 feet tall.
This is not what National Grid proposed. The proposed monopole structure would stand approximately 85-90 feet tall throughout most of the route in the Hudson Valley. The structures would not be 30 feet taller as shown by Scenic Hudson.
Scenic Hudson should be claiming victory: DPS released the final staff report, stating that an upgraded transmission system should not be expanded outside of the current right of way, that there would be no new Hudson River crossings, and there would likely be fewer structures than currently stand.
National Grid proposed a project that visually enhances the existing transmission corridor in the Hudson Valley. In fact, because in many places along the route two structures would be replaced with one, there would likely be over 100 fewer structures in the corridor after the project is built. Further, looking back to early 2014, National Grid took eminent domain off the table.
National Grid has worked with landowners and stakeholders, including Scenic Hudson, to create a project that addresses Hudson Valley concerns. These wins need to be acknowledged and shared truthfully with citizens.
Take a look at the attached image for a comparison between Scenic Hudson’s misrepresentative graphic and an official rendering submitted to DPS for the Hudson Valley transmission upgrades.
