The New York Public Service Commission ordered a study and technical conference to identify fixes for persistent transmission congestion along the Mohawk and Hudson Valley corridors.

“After carefully considering comments from stakeholders and members of the public, and in light of other proceedings related to improving energy efficiency and modernizing the grid, we will carefully reexamine the need for transmission upgrades to address existing transmission congestion problems,” PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman said in a statement. The congestion has increased consumers’ costs and raised reliability concerns, the commission said.

Transmission developers have until Jan. 19 to submit proposed upgrades. The commission ordered staff to issue a report addressing the needs and potential solutions by June 10, which will be followed by a technical conference (13-E-0488).

In its order the commission said the technical conference will allow “a full airing and discussion among the stakeholders of the basis of the need for transmission facilities and the viability of potential alternatives.”

A commission decision on preferred projects is expected in August or September.