NYISO CEO Rich Dewey has rebuked NextEra Energy Transmission New York (NYSE:NEE) for attempting to “lobby” the grid operator to award it transmission projects to connect offshore wind projects to Long Island.

“The NYISO cannot, under its applicable rules, select a project based upon political, parochial or commercial interests,” Dewey said in a Jan. 5 letter, which was first reported by POLITICO. “Grassroots lobbying efforts and media coverage are simply not part of the NYISO’s evaluation of the more efficient or cost-effective solution” to the transmission needs identified by the Public Service Commission.

In August 2021, the ISO solicited projects to add “at least one bulk transmission intertie cable to increase the export capability of the [Long Island Power Authority]-Con Edison interface, that connects NYISO’s Zone K to Zones I and J to ensure the full output from at least 3,000 MW of offshore wind is deliverable from Long Island to the rest of the state” and upgrades to associated local transmission facilities to accommodate the offshore export capability.

Of 19 proposals received from four developers, the ISO last April identified 16 “viable” projects, including nine from NEETNY’s New York Renewable Connect. LS Power, Anbaric Development Partners and the New York Power Authority/New York Transco also made the short list.

Long Island offshore wind projects under development | NextEra Energy

 

NEETNY’s website for the project includes seven “letters of support” from labor unions, elected officials and others.

The New York State Laborer’s Organizing Fund, for example, said “NEETNY is the only potential developer that has actively reached out to the local labor communities where these lines will be constructed to pledge their commitment to good union jobs and involved us in their process.”

The “Western New York Delegation,” which includes three state senators and two assemblymen, praised the company for its “extraordinary level of communication and capability” in building the 20-mile Empire State Line, the first competitively bid transmission project in the state.

None of the other competitors’ project websites included such testimonials.

In an email to RTO Insider, Kevin Lanahan, NYISO’s vice president of external affairs and corporate communications, said “the independence of the NYISO is paramount.”

“This process, as with much of our work, requires that decisions are made according to an impartial analysis of facts and data, as stipulated in our tariff,” and furthermore “the outcome is critical to the climate goals of the state and reliability of the power grid,” which is why “when attempts to introduce outside influence into the decision-making process became apparent, we determined the prudent course of action was to remind all participants of the criteria being considered,” Lanahan said.

After initially declining to comment, NEETNY told RTO Insider late Wednesday that it would comply with the ISO’s rules. 

“As with any project, we always reach out early to the local community and key stakeholders to explain the project need, gather feedback and establish an ongoing dialogue so that if our proposal is selected for construction, we can quickly begin engaging with local partners to incorporate their input,” NEETNY President Richard Allen said in a statement.

“NextEra Energy Transmission New York is grateful to be a participant in the New York Independent System Operator’s Public Policy Transmission Needs process, and we are committed to continue following the processes they have set forth.”