Monroe County Reliability Project: Regulatory Filings and Permits

Strategic Insights -

The Monroe County Reliability Project, initiated by the Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E), involves obtaining various permits and approvals from regulatory agencies to ensure a reliable and efficient transmission system. The project requires several permits and approvals to proceed, including Utility Work Permits, SPDES Permits, Canal Work Permits, Section 404 Permits, and Section 10 Permits. These permits will be obtained through coordination with various agencies, including the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Canal Corporation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The RG&E will obtain a Utility Work Permit from the New York State Department of Transportation for the construction and operation of the project within or adjacent to State highway rights-of-way (Section 8.1).
  • The company will seek coverage from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under the State's General Permit (GP) for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities, by filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) prior to the commencement of project construction (Section 8.2).
  • The RG&E will need to obtain a work permit from the New York State Canal Corporation for the Project crossing the Erie Canal (Section 8.3).
  • The company will require a Section 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to cross wetland areas (Section 8.4).
  • A Section 10 Permit will be necessary for the Erie Canal crossing, as the water body has been designated as a navigable water of the United States (Section 8.5).
  • The RG&E will file a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to confirm that Project structures and activities will not impact air navigation or airport operations (Section 8.6).
  • The Applicant is unaware of any other entities having an application or filing pending with the Commission or any other state or federal governmental department or agency, which concerns the subject matter of this Application (Section 8.7).

Statistics:

  • 17 NYCRR, Part 131 regulations will be followed for Utility Work Permits (Section 8.1).
  • 1 acre of land will require soil disturbances, necessitating coverage under the State's General Permit (GP) for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities (Section 8.2).
  • The Erie Canal crossing will require consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine the applicable clearance requirements and required documentation (Section 8.3).
  • 1899: The Rivers and Harbors Act was passed to regulate structures and works located above navigable waters (Section 8.5).
  • 7460-1: The FAA Form will be used to file a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration (Section 8.6).

Sources:

  • New York State Department of Public Service: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation Exhibit 8: Other Pending Filings Monroe County Reliability Project Article VII Application
  • New York State Department of Transportation: Utility Work Permit (17 NYCRR, Part 131)
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: SPDES Permit for Construction Stormwater
  • New York State Canal Corporation: Work Permit
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Section 404 Permit (NWP 57)
  • Federal Aviation Administration: Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration (FAA Form 7460-1)