Belmont 69kV Conversion & New 69kV Circuits from Lake Success and Whiteside

PSEG Long Island’s electric grid consists of three primary elements: electric transmission lines that carry power from generation sources, substations that receive the electricity from the transmission lines and step it down to a lower voltage, and distribution lines that carry the lower-voltage electricity into our neighborhoods.

Project Timeline
Beginning in June 2024, we will be installing new underground transmission lines between three existing substations on LIPA-owned properties in Elmont (Belmont Substation), Franklin Square (Whiteside Substation), and North New Hyde Park (Lake Success Substation) to meet the growing demand for electricity in the area and to meet the needs of the community. Internal construction work is expected to commence in April 2024 at the Lake Success and Whiteside substations.

Work at the Belmont Substation is expected to begin in January 2025. While this work is being performed, traffic and parking may be impacted along the route.

Project Scope
The proposed project consists of several components, including:

1. Internal construction work at the Belmont, Whiteside, and Lake Success substations
2. Installation of two underground transmission circuits from Belmont to Lake Success Substation and Belmont to Whiteside Substation

 
Why does PSEG Long Island need to perform this work?
Recent engineering studies and analyses conducted by PSEG Long Island have concluded that growing energy demands will exceed the capacity of the existing substations and electric circuits. The project will increase reliability and power quality in the area and support future load growth.

What are the project specifics for the substation work?
At the Whiteside Substation (located at the intersection of the end of Bedford Avenue and Grand Street), PSEG Long Island will install one 69kV breaker, two control power transformers (CPT), and an automatic throw-over switch. Work also includes the removal of three CPT’s. This work is expected to begin in April 2024. At the Lake Success Substation (located just north of the intersection of Union Turnpike and Lakeville Road), PSEG Long Island will install one 69kV breaker. This work is expected to begin in April 2024. At the Belmont Substation (located at Belmont Park), PSEG Long Island will replace two 33kV banks with two 69kV banks and replace two 33kV potential transformers (PT) with 69kV PT’s. This work is expected to commence in January 2025.

What are the project specifics for the transmission work?
The scope of this project is to install two new underground transmission circuits in duct and manhole systems from the Lake Success Substation to the Belmont Substation, along with additional space/conduit to accommodate a potential future cable to Stewart Manor and from the Whiteside Substation to the Belmont Substation.

The circuit distances to the Belmont substation from the Lake Success and Whiteside substations are approximately 4.25 miles and 1.75 miles respectively.

Transmission lines will be installed between existing substations along the following streets:

Belmont Substation to Lake Success Substation

• Plainfield Avenue (Northbound) to Emerson Avenue
• Emerson Avenue (Northbound) to Lowell Avenue
• Lowell Avenue (Eastbound) to Lakeville Road
• Lakeville Road (Northbound) to Lake Success Substation

 
Belmont Substation to Whiteside Substation

• Plainfield Avenue (Southbound) to Hempstead Turnpike
• Hempstead Turnpike (Eastbound) to Grand Street
• Grand Street (Northbound) to Bedford Avenue
• Bedford Avenue (Eastbound) to Whiteside Substation

SEQRA Environmental Assessment

• Belmont 69kV Conversion - SEAF Part 1
• Belmont 69kV Conversion - SEAF Part 2 & 3
• Belmont 69kV Conversion - SEAF Supplemental Information Attachment
• Figure 1 - Belmont 69kV Location Map
• Figure 2 - Belmont 69kV Overview
• Figure 3 - Belmont 69kV Lake Success
• Figure 4 - Belmont 69kV Lake Success 2
• Figure 5 - Belmont 69kV Whiteside
• Appendix A - NYSOPHRP Correspondence

Alternatives

Alternatives to the project were assessed, including:

• Full Local 69kV Conversion from Lake Success Substation to Elmont Substation:
  Convert the 33kV path from Lake Success to Elmont to 69kV. The scope involves the following substations: 3AG Lake Success, 3W Garden City Park, 3B/3U Floral Park, 3BE Belmont, and 3G Elmont.
• Full Belmont and Elmont 69kV Substation Conversions:
  Convert the Belmont and Elmont substations to 69kV with new 69kV circuits from Whiteside to Elmont and Whiteside to Belmont.
• 33kV Reconductoring and 3AG Lake Success Substation Bank 4 Replacement:
  Upgrade 3AG 69/33kV Bank #4 and reconductor all existing 33kV, mostly overhead circuits from 3AG Lake Success to 3G Elmont.
• Whiteside Substation Feeder and 3AG Lake Success Substation Bank 4 Replacement:
  This alternative brings in a distribution feeder from the Whiteside Substation to help offload the Belmont Substation and upgrade 3AG 69/33kV Bank #4 to meet the load in 2023.

 
Provide a description of the comparative merits and detriments of each location submitted:

• Full Local 69kV Conversion from Lake Success Substation to Elmont Substation:
  This alternative would exceed the immediate requirements and cost additional time and resources.
• Full Belmont and Elmont 69kV Substation Conversions:
  This alternative could take up to three years and go beyond the immediate need, which would cost additional time and resources.
• 33kV Reconductoring and 3AG Lake Success Substation Bank 4 Replacement:
  This alternative is not cost-effective nor operationally feasible.
• Whiteside Substation Feeder and 3AG Lake Success Substation Bank 4 Replacement:
  This alternative is only a temporary fix and would not be enough to meet the projected 37.3MW load at Belmont by 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will there be tree trimming?
  Minimal incidental tree trimming required for construction equipment clearances. All construction work associated with this project, on roadways will be done underground.
• Will there be any power outages?
  No power outages are anticipated with this work. If a brief outage is required, affected customers will be notified in advance.
• Will there be any traffic interruptions?
  There will be traffic disruptions along the project route as installation occurs. To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island will provide cones, flaggers, and signage at the work sites, as needed.
• Whom can I contact for more information?
  If you have further questions or, are unable to access the documents electronically and would like to request hard copies, please call PSEG Long Island Customer Service at 1-800-490-0025 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. If you would like to leave feedback about this project, please take our survey or email ExternalAffairsLI@pseg.com

POSTED DATE: 02/21/24