December 7, 2021 - New York
Champlain Hudson Project Accelerates $12 Million in Environmental Protection
Funding
Committee consists of New York State and City Officials, Riverkeeper, Trout Unlimited, Scenic Hudson representatives Environmental Trust Fund commits to reviewing priority projects and setting up application process for new projects
New York – December 7, 2021 – The Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project announced that the independent committee responsible for distributing more than $117 million in funding for environmental protection projects over the next three decades voted unanimously to unlock $12 million dollars ahead of schedule. The committee will provide funding to local environmental and advocacy groups’ projects that will help protect and enhance the Hudson and Harlem Rivers as well as Lake Champlain. The new funding timeline has now been submitted to the New York Public Service Commission for their final approval.
“New York is home to some of the world’s greatest waterways and environmental treasures,” said Donald Jessome, TDI President and CEO. “This funding will help build on the work over the last quarter-century to ensure future generations have access to clean water, while we work to complete this project that will deliver clean air in New York communities, affordable electricity, and economic benefits across New York.”
The $117 million in funding is part of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain Habitat, Enhancement, Restoration, and Research/Habitat Improvement Trust Fund (the “Trust”) set up by the Champlain Hudson Power Express project manager, Transmission Developers Inc. (TDI).
The Trust will be administered by the Hudson River Foundation and the committee’s vote will make $15 million in funding available to environmental groups and scientists during construction with $2.5 million available for priority projects immediately at the start of
construction of the Champlain Hudson project, which has secured permits required to begin construction as early as 2022.
The Trust representatives said that it will first be reviewing previously established priority projects, and setting up a process for groups who want to submit new projects. Eligible projects are required to demonstrate how they would improve and enhance the aquatic environments in Lake Champlain, the Hudson River, the Bronx, Harlem and East Rivers, and New York Harbor.
About the $117 million Environmental Trust Fund
The Hudson River and Lake Champlain Habitat Enhancement, Restoration, and Research/Habitat Improvement Trust Fund was established as part of the project’s Article VII Permit granted by the New York Public Service Commission – the order granting the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need.
About the Champlain Hudson Power Express
The CHPE project involves the construction of an entirely underground and underwater transmission line spanning approximately 339 miles between the Canada–U.S. border and New York City. Once built CHPE will deliver clean hydro and wind power. The permitted CHPE is estimated to create more than 1,400 jobs during construction, with a commitment to use union labor.
About TDI
TDI (Transmission Developers Inc.), a Blackstone portfolio company, has spent a decade
meticulously developing with local stakeholders the N.Y. portion of the project and its 339-mile route. The solid state buried cable will travel a route through Lake Champlain, the Hudson and Harlem Rivers and terrestrially on railroad rights of way and roads until it reaches a converter station in Astoria, Queens where its clean energy will be distributed into New York City.