Dear Secretary Phillips,

Please accept this letter of support for Propel NY Energy on behalf of Regional Plan Association.

It is vital to Long Island’s future that we improve the reliability and resiliency of our energy grid. With most of Long Island’s transmission infrastructure built decades ago, and with energy needs rising, we cannot afford to wait to address this issue.

The Propel NY Energy (Propel NY or Project) transmission solution is a critically needed project which will strengthen the backbone of the electric grid with increased transmission capacity to help inject more clean energy into the statewide energy grid. This Project is not only important to the State’s economy and the environment, but it is critical to Long Island’s future by dramatically improving interconnectedness to the rest of the State, giving access to cheaper upstate renewable energy as it increasingly comes online.

Propel NY Energy is a collaboration of NYPA and NY Transco, two New York institutions with proven records of success on complex transmission projects throughout New York State. Importantly, the Propel NY team has already demonstrated a strong commitment to work with Long Island communities, holding more than 100 meetings on Long Island with elected officials, civic leaders, business organizations, and community town halls.

Propel NY Energy will provide benefits to New Yorkers statewide that include:

• Reliability by building out the transmission network to move more power more efficiently ensure uninterrupted delivery of clean energy to high demand areas.
• Resiliency to withstand the effects of climate change by hardening the transmission system with state-of-the-art, modern, durable infrastructure.
• Cleaner air and environment by reducing greenhouse gas emission through the delivery of more clean energy into the grid.
• Clean energy and construction jobs to engage New Yorkers in advancing a clean energy economy.

It is critical that the Project secure its permits and approvals in a timely manner to ensure construction can begin in 2026. Our organization is committed to working alongside the Propel NY Energy team for project success. Thank you.