Central Hudson is planning to rebuild a local transmission line that provides electricity to substations that serve more than 13,000 homes and businesses by both Central Hudson and NYSEG, within the Towns of Montgomery, Hamptonburgh and New Windsor, and the Villages of Walden, Montgomery and Maybrook. This existing local line was constructed nearly 75 years ago, and growth in electric use by the communities it serves will soon exceed the line’s capacity. While most would agree that the line should be rebuilt, Central Hudson is taking extra steps to ensure that the project also meets the needs of the community.
The WM Line currently travels through the Village of Walden, and is
proposed to be moved to less populated areas.
We are developing a plan that would rebuild the majority of the line in place, replacing poles and wires to meet the current and future demands for energy. However, residential and commercial development near the line has limited accessibility in certain areas, especially for maintenance, and the line now runs through several residential areas that were formerly undeveloped.
Here, another view of the WM line in the Village of Walden.
Also since the line was constructed, new federal and state standards for transmission lines were enacted, particularly after the 2003 blackout that affected much of the northeast. These standards require certain clearances around the line to provide safe and adequate maintenance and operation.
New routes for the WM Line have been proposed in the Walden area to
avoid the current residential development that has taken place since
the line was built.
To address these concerns, Central Hudson is proposing to relocate the line where it currently runs through the Villages of Walden and Montgomery to avoid heavily populated areas. The plan as proposed would actually remove poles from neighborhoods in the Village of Walden where the line borders on many homes and properties, and rebuild that section of the line in less congested areas.
Substantal portions of the WM Line are built on established riasements.
Central Hudson places a priority on planning projects like these in a way that is compatible with the community. Discussions with community leaders began in 2006, and comprehensive environmental, archeological and historical studies were all performed to ensure that this rebuilding project would have minimal impact. Extensive discussions with property owners in the Walden area, particularly where the line may be relocated, have already taken place, and additional discussions with all property owners along the rest of the line are planned. Two Open Houses on the project were held in January 2007, to gain further insight from the community and property owners, and to help inform residents of the project. Most recently, Central Hudson participated in an informational public meeting in late May in conjunction with the Town of Montgomery Planning Board to help further inform residents of the project and address questions and concerns.
The WM line was constructed 75 years ago, and will be upgraded to
improve the reliability of electric service and meet the regions growing
electric eneds
The input and guidance received from all of these discussions and informational sessions has been invaluable in helping to develop plans for this project. We have learned of future land use plans, individual property owner concerns and priorities of the communities. Already, many changes have been made at the request of community leaders and individual property owners, and as discussions continue it is anticipated that other changes may be made as well. While Central Hudson is required to follow the new standards, the project must also be done in a way that fits the needs of the communities at large. Flexibility by all stakeholders is key, and Central Hudson is committed to working closely with community leaders and property owners on an individual basis in rebuilding this vital line so that it may continue to serve well into the future.
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