Article VII

Beacon Wind

The following page is provided for compliance with Article VII.

For the latest information on notices and hearings, please click here.

A windmill set against a blue, cloudy sky

Beacon Wind LLC (Beacon) proposes to construct and operate the Beacon Wind 1 (BW1) project located within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) designated Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0520 (lease area).

Pursuant Article VII of the New York Public Service Law (PSL) process, an electric transmission line with a design capacity of 125-kilovolt (kV) or more, extending a distance of one mile or more, is subject to review and approval by the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission or PSC) as a major electric transmission facility. Beacon will undergo separate Article VII review processes for the BW1 project.

How to Stay Involved and Monitor the Proceedings

Beacon Wind 1: To monitor the proceedings of Beacon Wind 1, visit the Commission’s Website, go to “Search”, and enter case number 22-T-0294 to navigate to the case file. Click the “Subscribe to Service List” button in the upper right of the page. Subscribers will receive email notifications when a filing is posted.

Stakeholder Involvement and Recent News

Beacon is committed to keeping stakeholders informed throughout Project development and construction. Additional information on the Project, including recent news and ways for you to get involved, can be found on our website.

What is Article VII of the New York Public Service Law (PSL)?

Enacted in 1970, Article VII establishes a review process for any proposal to construct and operate major transmission infrastructure. The process is overseen by the New York Public Service Commission or PSC, an appointed board in the New York state government and located within the Department of Public Service. The department regulates electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water utilities in the state and stimulates renewable energy resources for the benefit of consumers and employers. Article VII evaluates the purpose and need and environmental impacts of transmission facilities, allowing the public to comment on proposed plans. It also articulates in detail the proposed right of way within New York State. Article VII requires a complete review of siting, design, construction, and operation of projects within New York State. You can find out more about Article VII on the Department of Public Service’s website.

Beacon wind 1

New York State Article VII Process

The transmission system for the Beacon Wind 1 Project will connect the offshore wind farm to the New York State electric grid. Article VII of the New York Public Service Law requires a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) from the New York Public Service Commission (PSC or Commission) for major electric transmission facilities. Article VII requires a complete review of the need for and environmental impact of the siting, design, construction, and operation of the portion of the Beacon Wind 1 Project in New York State.

The Article VII components of the Beacon Wind 1 Project will include one 320-kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine export cable circuit (two cables) from the boundary of New York State waters to the cable landfall; one 320-kV HVDC onshore export cable circuit (two cables) from the landfall to a proposed onshore substation facility within the Astoria power complex in Queens, New York; the proposed onshore substation facility consisting of an onshore converter station and onshore substation; and three 138-kV high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) onshore interconnection cable circuits (nine cables) between the onshore substation facility and Consolidated Edison’s existing Astoria West Substation (together, “the NY Project”).

Article VII Certificate application and review process

Article VII Application

Status: Beacon Wind LLC filed its Article VII application (Application) for the NY Project on May 13, 2022. Case number 22-T-0294 has been assigned to the Beacon Wind 1 Application.

Public notice of the application was published in newspapers of local circulation in the area of the NY Project on April 28 and May 5, 2022. The Beacon Wind 1 Article VII Application documents can be found here.

The complete Application and other case files can also be found on the New York State Department of Public Service Document and Matter Management (DMM) System, located here.

Physical copies of the Application can also be reviewed at the following public library locations:

East Hampton Library

159 Main Street

East Hampton, NY 11937

Southold Free Library

53705 Main Road

Southold, NY 11971

Riverhead Free Library

330 Court Street

Riverhead, NY 11901

Brookhaven Free Library

273 Beaver Dam Road

Brookhaven, NY 11719

Smithtown Library

1 North Country Road

Smithtown, NY 11787

Huntington Public Library

338 Main Street

Huntington, NY 11743

Huntington Station Branch Library

1335 New York Avenue

Huntington Station, NY 11746

Oyster Bay – East Norwich Library

89 East Main Street

Oyster Bay, NY 11711

Queens Public Library – Astoria Branch

14-01 Astoria Boulevard

Astoria, NY 11102

Queens Public Library – Steinway

21-45 31 Street

Astoria, NY 11105

Comments: Please note that comments can be provided on the PSC docket at any time during the review process. If not submitted during Public Statement Hearing(s) (see below for more information), written comments can be submitted by completing a comment form on the PSC website or by submitting a written statement, electronically or by mail, to the Secretary of the PSC. Comments also can be given by calling the Commission’s Opinion Line (below), which is set up to take comments from in-state callers 24 hours a day; comments submitted via this line are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission. Comments should reference the NY Project’s Case number (22-T-0294).

Mailing Address:

New York State Public Service Commission

Three Empire State Plaza

Albany, New York 12223-1350

Email address:

secretary@dps.ny.gov

Commission’s Opinion Line:

1-800-335-2120

Public Statement Hearing(s)

Status: The Application was submitted May 13, 2022. The Application was deemed complete on November 21, 2022. The PSC will hold two Public Information Sessions on January 19, 2023. The notice for these sessions along with information on how to attend can be found here. The PSC will hold two Public Statement Hearings on January 24, 2023. The notice for these sessions along with how to attend and participate can be found here.

Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need

Status: Pending. A Certificate, if granted by the PSC, will contain conditions for the NY Project’s construction and operation, as well as requirements for the Environmental Management and Construction Plan (EM&CP).

Environmental Management & Construction Plan

Status: Pending. The applicant will also file an EM&CP with the PSC for review and approval, which specifies how the NY Project will comply with the conditions of the Certificate, including:

additional details regarding the precise location, design, and construction of the NY Project,
special precautions that will be taken during construction to ensure environmental compatibility,
compliance with applicable safety codes, and
maintenance and operation of the facility.

Start of Construction

Status: Pending. Once the Commission finds that the detailed plans are consistent with its decision and meet the required conditions, it will authorize the start of NY Project construction.

Stakeholder Involvement and Recent News

Beacon Wind LLC is committed to keeping stakeholders informed throughout NY Project development and construction. Additional information on the NY Project, including recent news, can be found here: https://www.beaconwind.com/.

environmental review meetings

The latest information on notices and hearings, can be found here. The Public Service Commission notices are available for the hearings scheduled January 19 and January 24.