PSEG Cable Project From Greenport To Shelter Island Wraps Up

GREENPORT, NY — After months of discussion and work, a controversial project involving PSEG Long Island's installation of an underwater cable to Shelter Island wrapped up recently.

The cable was completed in time to meet peak demand during summer’s extreme heat, PSEG reps said.

The installation of the distribution cable, which travels under the Shelter Island Sound from Greenport to Shelter Island, was necessary to handle the ever-increasing electrical demand on Shelter Island and the East End, PSEG said.

“We are pleased to announce the Greenport to Shelter Island cable has been successfully installed and is supplying reliable power to Shelter Island customers,” said John O’Connell, vice president of transmission and distribution, PSEG Long Island. “Providing our customers with a reliable electric system is of utmost importance to us.”

In Nov., 2016, the Greenport village board, after months of deliberation and protests from the public, voted to move forward with the PSEG underline electric cable project from Greenport to Shelter Island that some residents, many from 5th Street, feared could pose health, environmental and quality of life concerns.

According to Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard, the board met in executive session and decided that the benefits to the village, including a backup power cable, were "crucial."

In addition, PSEG agreed to another $300,000 over the initial $1.2 million discussed, that Greenport would receive for the deal, Hubbard said.

"The board wants to move this project forward," Hubbard said.

In October 2017, construction crews began the process of boring three underground conduits, or tunnels, between Greenport and Shelter Island; they then installed the electric cable in one of the conduits, leaving the other two as backups, PSEG said. The major construction work was completed by May 15.

“We thank PSEG Long Island for providing Shelter Island with the reliable power it needs. PSEG Long Island and its contractors were professional and great to work with,” said Stella Lagudis, general manager of the Shelter Island Heights Property Owners Corporation. “The execution was flawless. We also thank the Village of Greenport for collaborating on this project.”

Before Superstorm Sandy, Shelter Island was served by three distribution feeder lines, two from the North Fork and one from the South Fork, PSEG said. During Sandy, one of the North Fork feeders suffered damage and failed. The newly installed feeder line effectively replaces the cable lost during Sandy, and will help ensure continued reliable electric service on Shelter Island and the East End, PSEG said.

“The Town of Shelter Island gratefully appreciates PSEG Long Island's hard work, seamless construction and ensuring a continued reliable power supply to meet the growing demands,” said Gary Gerth, Shelter Island Town supervisor.

PSEG Long Island has said that increased electrical load growth throughout the region requires additional capacity across the East End, and that the new cable not only benefits the residents of Shelter Island, it reduces the stress on the main land electric system.

“We are pleased with the outcome of this important, enhanced resiliency project, which resulted in a large-scale upgrade for our residents, said George Hubbard, mayor of Greenport Village. “We thank our Village residents for their support and patience, and also thank the professional and pleasant PSEG Long Island crews and foremen.”

Months of meetings and public information sessions were held before the board green lighted the project.

Patch courtesy photo.