Neither MTA Nor NYC Eager To Pay For Trans-Hudson Power Cable
Thursday, June 30, 2011 - 08:32 PM
-
Schematic for a new power cable to New York City. (Hudson Transmission Partners/WNYC)
The MTA and the city of New York — the two largest energy users in the Northeast — are balking at a request by the New York Power Authority for help in building an $850 million transmission cable under the Hudson River.
The Power Authority asked the MTA to invest $64 million to get the cable up and running, but, according to MTA documents, the agency determined it would probably never get that money back because the Authority would have to break even on the project before re-imbursing its customers. And the officials even doubted the power authority's claim that the cable will lower the MTA's energy costs.
The MTA board tabled the matter in May. A spokesman said there are no plans to raise it again.
The Power Authority also asked New York City for an investment. But budget director Mark Page has said those talks have been at a standstill since April.
The Power Authority insists negotiations with both parties are continuing.
The 14-mile cable that would carry 660 megawatts from New Jersey to Midtown Manhattan is scheduled for completion in 2013. It will be the first time the city is connected to energy sources west of the Hudson River.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.