Project Specifics

PSEG Long Island’s electric grid consists of three primary elements: Electric transmission lines that carry high-voltage 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.

New developments in your community, including the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum, the new Nassau County Police Academy, and the proposed Nassau Hub, a county-sponsored mixed-use development planned around the Coliseum, will increase electrical demand beyond the capacity of existing substations. The proposed Lindbergh Substation and the associated transmission and distribution system upgrades are necessary to provide adequate and reliable power.

Over the coming months, you will see workers making these upgrades in your area. 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:

• Construction of the Lindbergh Substation
• Replacement of existing overhead transmission structures and wires
• Installation of two new underground 69kV transmission cables
• Installation of new underground 13kV distribution feeders
• Overhead distribution pole replacements, and the replacement, removal, and/or installation of pole-top equipment including transformers, switching equipment and electrical wire.

 
Substation Work
The proposed Lindbergh Substation will be located at the northwest intersection of Perimeter Road and Charles Lindbergh Boulevard in the hamlet of Uniondale. The proposed substation will be located on an approximately 1.7-acre parcel of undeveloped land adjacent to a privately owned industrial co-generation facility.

Transmission Work
Replacement of existing overhead transmission structures, installation of new transmission structures and wires, and the installation of two new underground 69kV transmission cables to support a new substation.

Location of the site or right-of-way:
These activities will be conducted in two general areas along:

• A Long Island Rail Road right-of-way approximately 0.5 miles north of the proposed Lindbergh Substation, west of the Meadowbrook Parkway
• A pathway within and extending slightly east of the Eisenhower Golf Course

 
Description of the utility transmission facilities to be built:

• Overhead: Along the LIRR right-of-way, construction specialists will remove one transmission tower that is approximately 59 feet in height above ground level, and two steel poles that are approximately 53 feet and 62 feet in height above ground level. Crews will remove and replace seven other transmission towers and poles ranging from 45 - 68 feet in height with steel poles that will be 70 - 76 feet in height. In addition, crews will install two new riser poles measuring approximately 70 and 75 feet in height.
   
  Within and slightly east of the Eisenhower Golf Course, construction specialists will remove seven transmission towers 64 - 74 feet in height and replace them with new, 70-foot steel poles. Five new 70-foot steel poles will be installed. Additionally, two steel poles that are approximately 60 and 62 feet in height will be replaced with new steel poles that are 66 feet and 70 feet in height. This work will take place along the existing utility right-of-way and should not affect the golf course design.
• Underground: Crews will install two transmission lines along Perimeter Road that will connect the overhead transmission along the LIRR right-of-way to the proposed Lindbergh Substation. 

SEQRA Environmental Assessment

• FEAF Parts 1, 2, 3 and Supplemental Information Sheet
• Attachment A – Project Description
• Attachment B – Land Use
• Attachment C – Natural Resources
• Attachment D – Visual Resources
• Attachment E – Energy
• Attachment F – Noise and EMF
• Attachment G – Construction
• Appendix A – Lindbergh Visual Renderings
• Appendix B – Naturals Resources Docs and Figures
• Appendix C – Visual Resources Assessment Documentation
• Appendix D – Lindbergh Substation Noise Impact Assessment Study
• Appendix E – Electric and Magnetic Field Assessment
• Figure 1 – Site Location Map
• Figure 2 – Section A OH Transmission
• Figure 3 – Section B OH Transmission
• Negative Declaration

Why does PSEG Long Island need to perform this work? 
The project area is currently served by two substations in the Uniondale area. Recent engineering studies and analysis by PSEG Long Island have concluded that growing energy demands will exceed the capacity of the existing substations. The proposed Lindbergh Substation and transmission upgrades are required to provide adequate and reliable power.

Alternative overhead transmission line routes were assessed
One short-term alternative to this project would be expanding and upgrading the Mitchell Garden Substation. Since there is no space currently available for expansion, PSEG Long Island would need to acquire new property adjacent to the Mitchell Garden Substation. This substation is farther away from the current and anticipated Uniondale development sites and would require 3 times the amount of upgrades to existing distribution lines compared with the proposed Lindbergh substation. Approximately a decade after these upgrades would be completed, the upgraded Mitchell Garden Substation would become inadequate to provide reliable power and a new substation closer to the Nassau Coliseum would have to be built in any event. All of these factors make this alternative $30 million more expensive than the proposed Lindbergh Substation project.

Another short-term alternative to this project is the expansion of the existing substation on Stewart Avenue in Uniondale. Space at this substation is also severely limited. The feeders from this substation would have to run approximately 1.5 miles farther than feeders from the proposed new substation, increasing costs. Additionally, other future upgrades are already planned for this substation to provide reliable service to other nearby areas, which will result in a vastly reduced capacity for an expansion of the substation to provide reliable power to the current and anticipated developments surrounding the Nassau Coliseum. Once again, this would trigger the need for a new substation closer to Nassau Coliseum in about a decade. All of these factors make this alternative $35 million more expensive than the proposed Lindbergh Substation project.

A third short-term alternative involves reducing overall electric demand in the immediate area around the Nassau Coliseum through aspects of PSEG Long Island’s Utility 2.0 initiative. To defer the construction of this substation and the associated upgrades for one year, local electric demand would have to be reduced by at least 12MW, which is not achievable under the existing Utility 2.0 programs.

Why is the proposed location best suited for the facility?
Compared with acquiring new rights of way and building an entirely new line, upgrading this existing overhead transmission right-of-way along a railroad and golf course minimizes any additional impacts to the community. The proposed substation location is adjacent to an existing industrial co-generation facility on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard. The substation will be surrounded by vegetation and will be relatively hidden from the public. The proximity of this site to the numerous developments planned around Nassau Coliseum also minimizes the challenges and costs of the associated transmission and distribution upgrades.

What is a project description for the distribution work?
New underground distribution feeder lines will be installed, exiting the proposed Lindbergh Substation and continuing along Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Earle Ovington Boulevard and Uniondale Avenue. Some existing overhead distribution poles will be replaced, along with upgrades to and new installations of pole-top wire and equipment. This work will be primarily limited to areas south of Hempstead Turnpike, north of Jerusalem Avenue, east of California Avenue and west of Merrick Avenue in the hamlets of Uniondale and East Meadow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see the questions below. 

What is the overall timeline for the project?
Construction is expected to begin in July 2019 and be fully complete by the end of 2022. The portion of construction for the overhead and underground transmission work will be complete by the summer of 2020.

Will there be tree trimming?
Trees growing near power lines significantly increase the chance of power outages and pose safety risks. As we expand and improve our electric circuits, we will trim trees, where necessary, following our utility best practice model (ANSI A300 standards as well as the Best Management Practices Tree Pruning publication): 8 feet to each side; 12 feet above; and 10 feet below the line.

Will there be any power outages?
In the event that a brief outage is required, you will be notified in advance.

Will there be any traffic interruptions?
There will be minor traffic disruptions along the route. To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island will provide cones, flagmen and signage at the work sites, as needed.

How can I get more information or leave feedback?
If you have further questions, 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 share comments on the project, please email: ExternalAffairsLI@pseg.com.

Public Information Session

PSEG Long Island representatives were on hand to provide an overview of the planned work and hear public comments about the project.

• Wednesday, March 27, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Long Island Marriott at 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale
• Presentation

POSTED DATE: 07/18/19