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Champlain Hudson Power Express

Champlain Hudson Power Express Project Overview

CHPE mapChamplain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) will construct a high-voltage transmission line to bring hydropower from Quebec, Canada to New York City.

In 2013, the NYS Public Service Commission granted approval for the project, which includes two cables that will be installed underwater or underground along the approximately 340-mile route. A roughly 90-mile section of the cable will run in the Hudson River, ending at a converter station in Astoria, Queens.

Riverkeeper’s Role

Since the project’s initial proposal, Riverkeeper’s goal has been to evaluate and minimize CHPE’s impacts on the Hudson River Estuary. We helped negotiate key changes to the project route to avoid PCB hotspots, as well as critical habitat areas for endangered sturgeon. We also worked to ensure that the project included appropriate construction windows and compliance monitoring studies to minimize impacts to endangered sturgeon and other aquatic life, and worked to establish an Environmental Trust Fund to help offset potential impacts.

Riverkeeper staff currently serve on the Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust Governance Committee, which oversees restoration projects that compensate for impacts to the river ecosystem. Riverkeeper continues to review and comment on the CHPE project to ensure that construction adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, as well as to advocate for the protection and preservation of the Hudson River and our communities.

As CHPE begins construction, Riverkeeper remains focused on ensuring that the cables are buried deep enough in the riverbed to minimize impacts to aquatic life and reduce the risk of anchor strikes. We will continue to monitor potential environmental impacts from the project.

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