How was the route selected?

The process of selecting a route for the transmission line was very extensive. Siting experts, surveyors, engineers, state and federal officials, conservationists and others took everything into account – from the location of existing power structures, to the impact a route would have on the environment and the people and places around it.

After months of careful study, which included hundreds of interviews and 24 open houses across the project area, the study team selected the route for PATH. It had to avoid unreasonable routes, extreme costs and non-standard design requirements.

It needed to follow existing lines where possible and avoid highly populated locations. But most importantly, it had to minimize impacts on residents, animals, plants, and the environment, as well as cultural, historical and recreational resources.

How are renewables affected by transmission lines?

For renewable forms of energy to be a viable option in this country, transmission lines must be available to carry that type of energy, often generated in remote, rural locations, to consumers. The PATH Project will support the transmission of electricity generated by renewable sources, such as wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectricity as well as traditional sources of fuel.

Why aren't HVDC underground lines being used for PATH?

HVDC underground cables are only considered for short distances and when overhead cables are not feasible. This technology is not preferred for several reasons:

• Worldwide, there are only a few short lengths of HVDC cable underground – and all significant lengths of HVDC cable are underwater cables where future interconnections are not a factor.
• Large, complex and expensive multi-story AC/DC conversion stations would be required at the line ends and any point along the line where it would connect to other utility substations. The conversion process also consumes a significant amount of energy.
• The HVDC conversion equipment would significantly increase the size of the Kemptown, Welton Spring and John Amos Substations.
• No transmission line of this length, voltage or capacity has ever been placed underground, nor has the technology been commercially developed at this voltage level.
• Even if only a portion of the line is placed underground at a lower voltage level, the project cost increases significantly. Additional costs could be allocated to the community requiring undergrounding.

What are the benefits of 765-kV transmission lines?

The 765-kV line was selected for PATH because it offers the greatest load carrying capacity in operation today. It minimizes land use impacts and greatly reduces line losses that can occur over long distances. It also offers greater reliability due to line design and its reliability surpasses all other voltage classes.

Additionally, this advanced transmission technology is capable of reducing system losses significantly, resulting in greenhouse gas reductions. Studies show peak line losses on PATH will drop by 200 megawatts or more, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 280,000 tons per year. That’s the equivalent of removing 55,000 cars from the road for one year*. In addition, replacing traditional conductor wire with a new advanced design will save an additional 28,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

*Source: U.S. Climate Technology Corporation