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Climate Change Vulnerability Study

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and its service provider, PSEG Long Island, are committed to providing safe and reliable power within their service territory. Increasingly, however, extreme weather events such as storms and floods are threatening the electrical system. Climate change increases certain chronic stressors of the system and is likely to increase both the frequency and severity of these events, further stressing the system.

Climate Vulnerabilities and Resilience
The Climate Change Vulnerability Study (CCVS) and Climate Change Resiliency Plan (CCRP) build on resilience work PSEG Long Island has undertaken on behalf of LIPA by analyzing asset and operational vulnerabilities to critical climate hazards. Specifically, the CCVS focuses on the climate hazards most salient for LIPA’s service area, which are extreme heat, cold temperatures, extreme precipitation, coastal and inland flooding, high wind, and ice.

By assessing the climate vulnerabilities of assets, planning, and operations using updated climate science, the CCVS significantly advances the expanding effort of bolstering climate resilience across LIPA assets and operations.  PSEG Long Island first consulted the results from the CCVS and then identified existing adaptation measures it could expand upon and any gaps it would address with new measures in the CCRP.

These adaptation measures help the system withstand adverse impacts of climate hazards through distribution and substation storm hardening measures and infrastructural improvements to strengthen assets and mitigate damage from extreme conditions.

A decade of PSEG Long Island’s storm hardening improvements
This CCVS and CCRP build on the deliberate steps that PSEG Long Island has taken to prepare for and adapt to an increase in frequency and severity of extreme climate events. These steps include installing new transmission lines and distribution feeders, elevating and protecting substation equipment, and replacing and upgrading transmission and distribution structures to meet current standards. 

PSEG Long Island has storm hardened over 1,400 miles of distribution, which includes replacing existing poles with stronger class poles installed deeper in the ground to resist the impact of severe wind. Cross-arms, pole hardware, and primary wire are also being upgraded to a new storm hardening standard. This program was started with FEMA funding, continues with our Power On program, and is expected to continue with additional FEMA funding starting in 2025.  

Adapting existing planning, design, and operations practices
PSEG Long Island has also developed adaptation measures for existing planning, design and operations practices, invested in emergency response process improvements as well as enhancements to our vegetation management practices. 

Applying new technologies
In its resilience investment strategy, PSEG Long Island will also continue to incorporate new technology into its projects, including installing online monitoring systems for substation transformers, and utilizing Advanced Metering Infrastructure to help evaluate solutions for low voltage issues during peak load days. Through intentional upgrades and improvements to physical infrastructure and operations, PSEG Long Island will continue to increase system reliability, with the goal of minimizing customer outages.

Informational Downloads

Select any one of the documents below for additional detailed information.