1. Reliability

West Hempstead

Reliability Projects

We're making upgrades to enhance our system's ability to withstand extreme weather and meet energy demands.

Project Specifics
PSEG Long Island continues to make improvements to its energy infrastructure in order to increase reliability and minimize outages affecting our customers. We are committed to making every effort to ensure our grid is resilient during storms. The upgrades we are working on in your neighborhood are necessary to ensure greater reliability for the electrical system.  

Project Scope
This project will expand the existing LIPA West Hempstead Substation (the “Substation”), located along Hempstead Gardens Drive, east of Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks in West Hempstead. The Substation is being expanded to accommodate the installation of new equipment. Several transmission poles supporting 69 kilovolt (kV) overhead circuits located within and adjacent to the Substation will be replaced to accommodate the expansion and two existing underground 13kV distribution feeder cables will be reconfigured to connect into the new equipment. This project will improved reliability and resiliency for the surrounding area.

  • Substation Work
    The existing fenced Substation encompasses approximately 0.78 acres and will be expanded to the west by approximately 0.3 acres, onto LIPA-owned property. The expansion area will be regraded, a ground grid will be installed, and new dolomite stone will be installed on the ground surface. Substation fencing will be replaced along the northern and southern boundaries of the existing Substation and expansion area, as well as the western perimeter of the expansion area. “Permahedge” screening will be installed along the southern fence facing Hempstead Gardens Drive.
     
    Two existing transformer banks and two switchgears will be removed from the existing Substation. Four transformer banks, two switchgears along with other new equipment will be installed within the existing Substation and the expansion area. Additionally, a mobile transformer unit and two temporary wood poles supporting overhead conductor will be installed within the Substation during equipment removals and installations to maintain electrical service. Underground electric cable will be installed within the Substation to complete necessary electrical connections to equipment and poles.
  • Transmission Work
    Three existing steel poles will be replaced with steel poles, and two existing wood poles will be replaced with two steel poles, ranging in height from 65 feet to 76 feet. Two wood poles will be replaced outside of the fenced Substation property adjacent to existing poles, ranging in height from 39 feet to 66 feet.
  • Distribution Work
    Two existing underground distribution feeders extending from existing wood poles along Hempstead Gardens Drive into the existing Substation will be slightly reconfigured to connect to the new Substation equipment. The two wood poles will be replaced with new wood poles no more than 10 feet taller than the existing poles. 
     

Project Timeline
Construction is expected to begin at the end of July 2026 and is expected to be completed by July 2028. Crews are expected to work primarily Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Some extended hours/weekends may be needed.

SEQR Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why does PSEG Long Island need to perform this work?
    This project should help improve reliability in the area and facilitate the complete modernization of the Substation’s critical infrastructure. 
  • 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 traffic interruptions?
    There will be minimal traffic and parking disruptions along the project route.  To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island will provide cones, flaggers and signage at the work sites, as needed.
  • Will there be any power outages?
    PSEG Long Island does not anticipate any planned power outages associated with this project. If the need for a scheduled outage arises, we will notify customers in advance. 
  • 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 AM and 8 PM. If you would like to leave feedback about this project, please take our survey at psegliny.com/inthecommunity/currentinitiatives/reliabilityprojects or email ExternalAffairsLI@psegliny.com 

 
As always, customer and employee safety is our primary concern. Please be cautious when traveling near our construction work zones.

 

POSTED DATE: 07/16/26