NYSEG and RG&E Upgrading 45,000 Electrical Poles Across New York State

Upgrades part of $2.1B in investments from Reliable Energy NY Plan to improve service and reliability


One in 10 electrical poles to be upgraded to strengthen the Companies’ electrical grid


In 2023, the utilities modernized approx. 25,000 poles across 17 service areas


BINGHAMTON, NY — August 1,  2024 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) continue taking the necessary steps to modernize their grid, providing safe and reliable service for their customers. The Companies are upgrading 45,000 electrical poles across their service areas in New York State through 2026. These upgrades are part of the $2.1 billion in infrastructure investments in the Companies’ Reliable Energy New York Plan that will improve service and reliability.

NYSEG is investing more than $750 million and RG&E is investing more than $270 million in their Asset Condition Replacement programs to improve poles. One in 10 electrical poles are in need of upgrades. In 2023, the utilities upgraded approximately 25,000 utility poles across their service areas, which surpasses the average yearly pole upgrades.

“As the state continues to face harsh and more frequent storms, it’s critical to invest in stronger and more durable poles to reduce the frequency and duration of outages for customers,” said Mike Craven, vice president of Electric Operations for NYSEG and RG&E. “This is also a good time to remind motorists to use caution as they see crews in the field. Slow down so our crews can complete their work safely.”

In 2019, NYSEG and RG&E upgraded to larger wood poles to help improve storm resiliency. Poles are inspected and, in some cases, given a treatment to extend the life of the pole. Utility poles are modernized based on condition and as part of regular system upgrades. In 2023, 18,500 poles were enhanced in NYSEG territory, and 6,329 poles in RG&E’s service areas.

This continuous work also helps keep up with the growing demands in energy use across the state. Upgraded poles support the state’s ConnectALL program, helping meet the goal of building New York State’s digital infrastructure, connecting all New Yorkers through the internet.

NYSEG and RG&E continue to improve the resiliency of the Companies’ electric distribution systems and deployment of grid automation tools to create an intelligent system to detect outages and quickly restore power. These grid investments are needed across the country for resiliency and capacity for the clean energy transition. Customers want improvements to the aging grid and to know they can rely on the electric grid to meet their energy needs. These investments help realize those goals. 

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