Schools, residents push back on Long Island power cable project
The cable is part of Propel NY Energy’s plan to install approximately 90 miles of underground transmission lines across Long Island and New York state to strengthen the electric grid and meet future energy demands.
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Concerned residents and school officials rallied in Glenwood Landing Thursday to oppose a proposed underground transmission cable that would run from Shore Road across Long Island Sound to Westchester County as part of a major energy infrastructure project aimed at bringing more power to Long Island.
The cable is part of Propel NY Energy’s plan to install approximately 90 miles of underground transmission lines across Long Island and New York state to strengthen the electric grid and meet future energy demands.
Critics say the project could bring significant disruptions to neighborhoods, schools, and transportation routes during construction.
“It’s an insane project,” said Glen Head resident Doug Augenthaler. “Tearing up the streets here, interrupting traffic, interrupting emergency services, bus services, going along schools.”
Superintendents from six school districts joined the opposition effort, citing concerns about student safety and traffic impacts near school campuses.
“We are calling on the Public Service Commission to immediately suspend its approval of the Propel New York underground energy transmission project until the severe logistical impacts and critical safety details surrounding our school campuses are fully studied and resolved,” said Thomas Dolan, interim superintendent of the North Shore Central School District.
One of the primary concerns involves school transportation. District officials say construction along Shore Road could disrupt access to a nearby bus depot, potentially delaying routes and affecting students traveling to and from school.
Propel officials say they have worked closely with school districts and community stakeholders to minimize disruptions.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said the project team has “spent years engaging with schools to implement enhanced measures that safely minimize the temporary construction impacts of this critical transmission project.”
Project supporters argue the transmission upgrades are necessary to ensure Long Island’s long-term energy reliability.
“Make sure when we flip the switch, the lights are still going to turn on,” one supporter said.
Ryan Stanton of the Long Island Federation of Labor said the investment would strengthen the region’s electrical infrastructure.
“We’re an island in the Atlantic Ocean, with reliability challenges every storm season,” Stanton said. “Propel New York is going to reinforce the transmission infrastructure backbone.”
Propel officials told News 12 construction on the $3.2 billion project could begin as early as spring 2027.
