Alternative #1 - Re-conductor Rather than Rebuild

There are probably several hundred alternatives to the NYRI project which would result in the same goal. In no particular order, here is #1.

Investigate the replacement of all existing transmission lines w/ 3M's ACCR Conductor (ACCR ---Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced). ACCR is lighter and sags less than many of the existing lines; therefore, capacity can be increased. Existing poles can be used. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/EMD_ACCR/ACCR_Home/

As Tom Simpson, Eastern Region Account Manager, 3M's High Capacity Conductor Team put it in his slide presentation of October 31, 2007 "Re-conductor Rather Than Rebuild" (17/35)

http://www.aceny.org/pdfs/fall2007_conference/3M%20ACCR%20Presentation%20for%20ACE%20NY%20Meeting%2031OCT2007.pdf

Costs for a re-conductor appear to be under $400,000 per mile (see slide 20/35). For $2.1 billion dollars (NYRI's estimated cost), over 5,000 miles of transmission line could be upgraded.

Let's Re-conductor Rather than Build New through Beautiful Valleys of Upstate New York