RG&E Celebrates Completion of the Rochester Area Reliability Project

Project strengthens reliability of energy system in the Greater Rochester region

ROCHESTER, NY — April 6, 2021 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) today announced the completion and energization of its Rochester Area Reliability Project (RARP), a $389 million investment to upgrade the electric transmission system in the Rochester region. The 10-year project was developed by RG&E and its parent company, AVANGRID, to meet increased demand for reliable electricity in the Greater Rochester region, while also accommodating future growth and economic development. 

“RARP has been a key part of our business strategy for many years as we work to help the region unlock its economic potential and attract new industries and businesses to the area,” said Carl A. Taylor, President and CEO of NYSEG and RG&E. “We take a lot of pride in caring for the communities that we serve. RARP is an important part of this, which is why we worked extremely closely with our communities throughout the process. This project sets the Greater Rochester region up for success now and in the future by providing additional power to support and accommodate growth for generations to come.”

RARP included the construction of a new substation in the town of Henrietta, approximately 27.6 miles of new and rebuilt transmission lines in the City of Rochester and the towns of Gates, Chili and Henrietta, upgrades to three other existing substations. Additionally, the company made upgrades to the protection and communications systems at existing substations in the towns of Lewiston and Somerset in Niagara County. It provides additional access to the neighboring 345-kV transmission system run by the New York Power Authority.

RARP’s new transmission lines and substation were designed with the community in mind and routed along existing utility and transmission corridors to mitigate impacts to the environment and neighbors of the project. However, since crossing certain wetland resources during the project was unavoidable, RG&E built a new 12.6-acre free-standing and fully functional wetland on Ballantyne Road in the town of Chili as part of RARP. The wetland achieves a one-and-a-half acre to one replacement rate and RG&E will monitor the site for up to 10 years. RG&E also replanted an existing wetland area and is making improvements to a conservation easement area.

RG&E launched RARP in 2011 when the company filed an application with the New York State Public Service Commission for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need under Article VII of the Public Service Law. Throughout the course of the project, more than 900 RG&E and AVANGRID employees and outside contractors, and more than 20 companies have contributed to the project. 

 

Statements from Partners:

 

  • “The completion of the Rochester Area Reliability Project by RG&E is welcome news as we recover from the pandemic and work to accelerate our economy,” said Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “It will be a vital part of our efforts to create more jobs; safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and greater educational opportunities in Rochester. I congratulate the leadership of RG&E and, most importantly, all the women and men who worked to make this project a reality. We appreciate your dedication and service to our community.”
     
  • “We’re pleased that RG&E has made this large investment in improving power reliability to the area,” said Stephen L. Schultz, Henrietta Town Supervisor. “Anyone who saw what happened in Texas this winter should realize how important it is to have access to additional sources of electricity and enhanced reliability. In addition, with the large increase in traffic over the years within the East River Road corridor, it is nice to have a large tax-paying parcel that does not contribute any new traffic to the existing conditions. RG&E has been a valued partner with the Town and we are happy to have their latest addition to the Town.”
     
  • “Congratulations to Rochester Gas & Electric on the successful completion of the Rochester Area Reliability Project,” said Cosmo A. Giunta, Gates Town Supervisor. “This was a very important project to ensure the residents and businesses of the Town of Gates have a reliable source of electricity whenever it is needed. It was a pleasure to work with the project team throughout the process. With their diligence and understanding, they successfully addressed all of the concerns or questions we or our residents had throughout the construction phase. Thank you and congratulations on a job well done!”

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About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit rge.com . 

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

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