In an address before the Action Long Island business group, Long Island Power Authority Chairman Richard M. Kessel today strongly endorsed the President's call for improving America's electric energy infrastructure, to facilitate the distribution of electricity among and within specific states and regions.
Long Island is a load pocket that's isolated from the mainland.
If we could improve our transmission connections to the mainland, we could benefit from resources located in other states and regions. For example, a recent decision by regulators in Connecticut to block a proposed transmission line to Long Island did not recognize the need for electricity on Long Island. But, to make sure that we have an adequate and reliable supply of electricity to meet Long Island's needs, we need improved interstate transmission connections, such as the one we have been planning for more than two years that will link Long Island with Connecticut. The TransEnergie cross-Sound cable project would link New Haven with Shoreham and would carry some 330 MW of electricity from New England sources to Long Island. LIPA will purchase the energy imported over the line and still hopes to have the new transmission interconnection in place by summer 2002.