Protecting rivers and their communities by resisting megadams and their transmission corridors
Controversy over Blackstone’s NY transmission corridor
The proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) is a 333-mile long 1,250-megawatt high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission corridor consisting of bi-directional cables — two cables side by side running to and from Quebec to New York City. 110 miles of these cables will be under the Mahicanituck/Hudson River carrying hydroelectricity produced by megadams on Indigenous lands.
URGENT: Please submit comments to the New York Public Service Commission by October 28th. More details in October 3, 2022 notice below:
Click here to access our NAMRA comments regarding CHPE and importing Canadian hydropower.
New York Governor Hochul and the Public Service Commission must support truly sustainable, homegrown sources of energy – not massive Hydro-Quebec dams, or electric cables buried in the Mahicanituck/Hudson River. We must not subsidize this dirty, damaging project.We must promote in-state renewable energy generation and the competing New York Power Authority’s Clean Path NY contract as competition to CHPE.
We must continue to alert New York Governor Hochul, the Public Service Commission, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to promote the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Clean Path New York project (CPNY) which would use renewable energy made in New York as an alternative to the destructive CHPE. Please continue to demand that New York not procure Canadian hydropower.
Tell New York and Governor Kathy Hochul to not procure Canadian hydropower extracted from Indigenous lands in Canada:
NYSERDA had requested bids to provide electricity to New York City. Hydro-Quebec, CHPE, and Clean Path NY were selected as recommendations which are now under review.We demand that NYSERDA not procure Canadian hydropower extracted from Indigenous lands in Canada.
Contact NYSERDA and demand that they reject CHPE and promote only in-state renewable energy via the Clean Path NY.
April 13, 2022 – First Nations speak out on proposed hydropower for New York City
On April 14, 2022, the New York Public Service Commission voted 5-2 in favor of the Clean Energy Standard bids which included both the in-state Clean Path New York and Blackstone’s Champlain Hudson Power Express. While this decision is a setback, we will continue the fight to defend rivers and communities from CHPE.
For more than 60 years, downstate’s fossil power plants have contributed to one of America’s worst environmental injustices. The communities that host these plants, mostly Black and other people of color, suffer alarmingly high rates of respiratory illnesses, earning one the nickname “Asthma Alley.” These communities remain plagued by illnesses linked to poor air quality.
To address this problem, Gov. Hochul laudably championed a new renewables program to deliver clean energy directly into New York City. This program, called Tier 4, has the unique potential to displace local emissions from fossil-based power, but requires two projects delivering electricity year-round to do so. The approval of individual Tier 4 projects rests with the Public Service Commission (PSC), and this week that independent body will vote on two potential projects.
The choice could not be starker. One project, Clean Path, has committed to source renewable energy exclusively from in-state wind and solar farms, and to deliver it downstate year-round, ensuring power is available when needed. Because the government-run New York Power Authority is a partner, Clean Path could also contribute to the retirement of some of NYPA’s in-city fossil power plants.
Conversely, the Canadian Hydro Power Express (CHPE) will not source its energy in New York, and despite its multi-billion-dollar price tag, will not commit to delivering power during the winter. CHPE champions say they can’t commit to winter deliveries because that’s when their supplier, Hydro-Quebec, needs electricity most for its Canadian customers. This means that New York may have to still retain fossil power plants for the times when CHPE isn’t available.
If CHPE is approved, local winter emissions could actually increase, as new policies that switch buildings and transportation from oil and gas to electricity drive increases in winter power needs.
Many have raised concerns about CHPE, including its inadequate in-state job creation, its efforts to skirt its local property tax obligations, its extremely high cost, its damage to the environment. and its displacement of indigenous communities. But the fact that it might not reduce our need for fossil power plants is the most damning.
To achieve the promise of the Tier 4 program, the PSC should choose to do three things.
First, it should approve Clean Path, with the condition that NYPA retires its four South Bronx peaker plants. Second, it should deny CHPE. Third, it should direct the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to solicit more proposals for Tier 4 projects, and choose an alternative that provides higher in-state job creation, lower costs and, most importantly, firm commitments to retiring in-city fossil power plants.
This is not a choice between CHPE and nothing. It’s a choice between rushing a bad project (which will prolong decades of environmental injustice) versus a competitive process that allows us to prioritize New Yorkers over the profits of foreign energy companies. Our communities have suffered environmental injustice for decades because of bad policy choices. We urge the PSC to make the right choice.
Bautista is executive director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance.
See below for February 16, 2022 comments from the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance (NYC-EJA) urging the NY Public Service Commission to deny the proposed contract for CHPE and instead direct NYSERDA to pursue renewable electricity produced in-state.
See comments below provided by the Independent Power Producers on the contract details regarding case number 15-E-0302. We have common ground with their stance on CHPE and why it’s not in the best interest of New Yorkers. Their review does not include the consequences of megadams in Canada and the consequences onto First Nations by these facilities. IPPNY members companies produce a majority of New York’s electricity utilizing almost every generation technology available.
Letter in support of NYPA Clean Path NY from James Gennaro, New York City Council, Chair of Environmental Protection Committee preferring in-state electricity generation.
Lucien Wabanonik is an elected councilor with Lac Simon’s band council in Quebec. Lucien’s community has been heavily impacted by megadam development. Here is his message to New Yorkers and elected officials that are considering hydropower imports.
CHPE Background
In 2013, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) issued a permit called a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the 333-mile cable. See the permit here: CHPE NYS PSC Case 10-T-0139 Since then, Blackstone Group, has amended the permit three times. The project no longer resembles the project the PSC approved in 2013.
Blackstone Group, one of the world’s largest private equity and hedge fund firms is the developer of CHPE. It has created limited liability corporations and calls the developer “Transmission Developers Inc.” (TDI). The $3 billion project will create only 26 direct, full-time jobs for New Yorkers according to Blackstone’s 2014 environmental impact statement. The electricity will be generated by Hydro-Quebec at its 63 generating stations in remote areas of Quebec and Labrador. Hydro-Quebec is government-owned and one of the largest utilities in the Western Hemisphere.
Blackstone cannot start construction of CHPE without a 25-year contract with a buyer for 75% of the electricity. At this time, no contract has been announced. Blackstone had used Brattle Group to solicit offers of interest for CHPE.
Since Earth Day Day 2019, Mayor de Blasio and his administration have been secretly negotiating to buy electricity from Blackstone via CHPE. We call on the Mayor’s administration to withdraw from negotiations with Hydro-Quebec and Blackstone and instead pursue energy efficiency and renewable energy options locally in New York City. The New York City building decarbonization law, Local Law 97, allows for building owners to procure Renewable Energy Credits (RECS) instead of actually reducing their emissions. NAMRA does not support this provision which will promote Renewable Energy Credits from megadams.
Hydropower from Canada will not help New York meet its climate goals as megadams and their reservoirs are associated with the generation of greenhouse gas emissions.
December 3, 2021 – The potential installation of CHPE will compromise the drinking water of seven municipalities as detailed in the letter below.
October 20, 2021 – New York Public Service Commission (PSC) held a public statement hearing on a petition filed by CHPE LLC and CHPE Properties, Inc. to amend a Certificate of Environmental Compatability and Public Need authorizing the building, operation, and maintenance of this project.
The initial certificate was granted in 2013 and since then, the New York PSC has granted amendments to the certificate authorizing changes regarding Project construction filings and filing requirements, approving route modifications, and authorizing modifications to increase Project capacity from 1,000 to 1,250 megawatts (MWs). These amendments are substantive and significant issues that require further studies.
Recent research by Northbridge Energy Partners finds that new hydropower transmission corridors from Canada to the U.S. are linked to potential new dam construction.
On July 12, 2021, Hudson Riverkeeper sent a letter to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding the state’s selection process for projects to receive Tier 4 renewable energy credits. Riverkeeper urged Cuomo to take into full account the impacts of proposed projects on the Mahicanituck/Hudson River and at their source. CHPE would be a disaster for the Mahicanituck/Hudson River as well as its ecosystems and communities. The source of the power that CHPE would carry are Canadian megadams which damage rivers, violate human rights, and release potent greenhouse gases.
Letter from Riverkeeper to former Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding the perils that CHPE would pose to the Mahicanituck/Hudson River:
On May 5, 2021, the Innu First Nation of Pessamit, the Atikamekw First Nation of Wemotaci, and the three Anishnabek First Nations of Pikogan, Lac Simon, and Kitcisakik sent a joint letter to New York City Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan denouncing and condemning the detrimental effects that CHPE would have on human rights, ancestral territories, climate change, and ecosystems. New York City is obligated to respect the rights of First Nations, their ancestral territories and obtain free prior and informed consent.
“Not a single impact assessment has been carried out for the construction of thirty-three (33) power stations in our traditional territories, which generate 36% of Hydro-Québec’s total installed capacity.”
November 29, 2020: The Towboat and Harbor Carriers Association of New York & New Jersey request that CHPE’s cable route application on the Mahicanituck/Hudson River be denied
On October 8, 2020, A Notice of Violations of the Endangered Species Act was sent by the Center for Biological Diversity, NAMRA and the Innu Nation to the U.S. Department of Energy warning them that the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) hydropower corridor from Canada to New York City will harm threatened Atlantic Sturgeon, the climate and Indigenous front-line communities. The 336-mile CHPE cable will be buried under the Mahicanituck/Hudson River and Lake Champlain disturbing sturgeon and potentially releasing toxic pollutants buried in the river.
On May 5, 2020, NAMRA signed onto the Peoples Climate Movement of New York released an open letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Borough Presidents Adams, Brewer, Diaz Jr., Lee, and Oddo, Council Speaker Corey Johnson and All Members of the NYC Council on the connection between the COVID-19 crisis, the climate crisis, and the bold next steps forward for the economic crisis. This letter asks New York leaders to commit to fighting the climate crisis in a fair, just, and equitable way.
CHPE is not a fair, just, or equitable solution to the climate or economic crisis that New York faces. It places the burdens of American electricity use on the backs of front-line, Indigenous communities in Canada where this power is being produced by megadams.
May 27, 2020: NAMRA’s Response to Governor Cuomo’s proposal to import more Canadian hydropower and build a transmission corridor (CHPE) from Canada to New York:
November 18-19, 2019:Northeast U.S. Speaking Tour – held the third annual Megadams = Megadamage Speaking Tour this past November. This tour brought Indigenous and allied speakers from hydro-affected communities in Canada to the Northeast United States to speak with the general public and key decision-makers on the topic of Canadian hydropower and transmission corridors such as NECEC and the detrimental effects that these have on their communities and the environment. To view recordings of the tour, click here.
November 18, 2019:Hudson Riverkeeper withdraws support for CHPE.
On April 22, 2019, New York City Mayor Bill DiBlasio announced a Green New Deal for the City which includes negotiations towards Hydro-Quebec power from Canada. In a simultaneous press release, Hydro-Quebec embraced the chance to get the stalled CHPE project going.
CHPE is fraught with problems and NAMRA opposes the project on environmental and social justice grounds. Unfortunately, most of the permits are in place.
CHPE will cost an estimated $2.2 billion to construct. The project’s main investor is Blackstone Group, L.P., an American multinational private equity, alternative asset management, and financial services firm based in New York City. As the largest alternative investment firm in the world, Blackstone specializes in private equity, credit, and hedge fund investment strategies.
The $2.2 billion that will be invested in the Blackstone CHPE project is money that should be spent on local energy efficiency and renewable energy projects thus creating local, long-term, and sustainable jobs. Locking in this infrastructure for destructive Canadian hydropower creates a disincentive for innovative, local energy solutions. CHPE is a greenwash and climate disaster.
As of 2020, CHPE faces major roadblocks:
-Before it can begin construction, CHPE has to have a 2020 contract with a buyer for 75% of the 1,000 MW which it does not have as of December 2020 (required by the PSC permit)
–Indigenous First Nations are challenging Blackstone’s legal right to sell this electricity to New York, claiming Hydro-Quebec has unlawfully built and operated hydropower installations on their ancestral lands for over 50 years www.50yearspastdue. ca and www.quebechydroclash.com
-The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has to provide notice and comment for changes to the CHPE route and must issue a revised Presidential Permit for the new route (stated in the new Presidential Permit 481) The 2014 CHPE US Department of Energy Presidential Permit was transferred in 2020 to a limited liability company and a new permit issued to a new entity, CHPE, LLC (Presidential Permit 481, July 21, 2020). NAMRA Comments to the Department of Energy on CHPE (May 18, 2020) Center for Biological Diversity, NAMRA and the Innu Nation also assert an EIS is needed for impacts on rivers, dams, the climate and Indigenous rights in Canada – environmental, economic and social impacts never studied by the PSC or DOE.
-The U.S. Department of Energy and National Marine Fisheries Service have to undertake and complete a satisfactory biological report of endangered Atlantic Sturgeon habitat that will be impacted by burying the cables in the Hudson River
On October 9, 2020, CHPE applied to the PSC for permission to move segments of the cable route, cooling stations, and cable splices in two locations: 1. from an industrial park in the Bronx to Randall’s Island Park, and 2. to a new route through Route 9W in Rockland County, NY. See North American Megadam Resistance Comments filed with PSC December 9, 2020.
In November, 2019 Riverkeeper, a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, withdrew its support for CHPE citing environmental concerns, impacts on Indigenous communities in Canada, and the new dams being built in Canada for exporting hydroelectricity to New York. November 18, 2019, Hudson Riverkeeper Withdraws Support for CHPE
In 2019 and 2020, CHPE previously sought permit modifications from the PSC, which NAMRA opposed. CHPE also sought a new Presidential Permit to transfer the project to a new shell limited liability corporation. Some of the many opposition comments are below:
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