Completion of Champlain Hudson Power Express Project Celebrated

Line Will Meet Up to 20% of New York City's Energy Needs with Emission-Free Hydropower and Benefit Disadvantaged Communities Most Impacted by Climate Change

June 16, 2026

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the 339-mile Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), one of New York's largest transmission infrastructure projects in 50 years, can now deliver reliable, clean energy from Canada directly to New York City. CHPE is expected to deliver 10.4 terawatt-hours of clean energy per year to the New York Metro area - meeting up to 20% of the city's needs - and reduce carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons through 2040. This will provide significant public health benefits by reducing harmful emissions and local air contaminants in New York City, and, in particular, historically underserved communities.

"The Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line is one of the first projects I championed as Governor, and is a game changer when it comes to keeping the lights on, helping build a cleaner future and holding costs down," Governor Hochul said. "With its completion, we are powering 1 million New York City homes with needed clean energy that will serve communities for generations to come. This project is further proof that despite the unprecedented federal headwinds we are facing, New York will remain a national climate and clean energy leader into the future."

The CHPE transmission line, part of the Governor's all-of-the-above approach to energy designed to keep the lights on and costs down for New Yorkers, will help replace the power lost with the closure of the Indian Point nuclear plant. Since Indian Point's closure, New York City has had to rely more on gas-fired plants that have caused emissions downstate to grow.

The CHPE project, contracted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and developed by Transmission Developers Inc, in partnership with Hydro-Québec, is expected to provide more than $3.4 billion in economic investment over the life of the 25-year contract and has already supported more than 1,400 family-sustaining construction and operations jobs statewide. Additionally, CHPE's Green Economy Fund, a $40 million fund, has already awarded $2 million to organizations focused on disadvantaged communities, workforce development and job retraining, intended to facilitate entry into the clean energy economy.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Today we turn a page in New York's energy history by bringing a transformative volume of clean energy to the nation's largest city. Not only does this project demonstrate the benefits of Governor Hochul's commitment to diverse energy resources, but it brings increased reliability to our grid by delivering enough electricity to power over one million homes, reducing pollution and improving air quality in our most vulnerable communities."

Selected in September 2021 as part of the Tier 4 solicitation administered by NYSERDA, CHPE construction began in 2022. The 1,250-megawatt High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line runs from Montreal, Quebec to the Astoria Energy Complex in Queens and connects to the grid at the newly expanded New York Power Authority Astoria Annex substation. NYPA also supported TDI in their building of a new nearly four-mile underground transmission line, called the Astoria Rainey Cable (ARC), that connects the Astoria Annex to Con Edison's Rainey substation.

The CHPE project, which is hosted by many local municipalities and counties, executed multiple project labor agreements totaling more than three million union labor hours. It is the longest fully buried transmission line in North America and was strategically buried underground and underwater to increase long-term reliability and minimize environmental and community impact.

CHPE is a critical component of New York's diverse mix of resources and supply infrastructure which supports its State Energy Plan by delivering clean, firm hydropower and renewable energy into a high-demand region, helping relieve congestion, improve system flexibility, and reduce reliance on more expensive gas-powered generation. The State Energy Plan highlights transmission as essential infrastructure for integrating new clean generation at scale and managing future load growth efficiently.

New York State Public Service Commission Chair and CEO Rory M. Christian said, "The completion of the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line demonstrates Governor Hochul's commitment to solutions that have real impacts on the daily lives of New Yorkers. Consumers will experience lower energy costs, improved health outcomes as a result of reduced reliance on higher-emitting and more expensive power generation resources that contribute to air pollution, and enhanced reliability of electricity service for the New York City area. The power now available to New York City from the energized CHPE line is a major win for consumers, especially those who reside within historically underserved communities."

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "All one has to do is read the latest headlines to understand the importance of securing clean and reliable sources of energy and thanks to the vision and determination of Governor Hochul, New York is doing just that. DOT is proud to have worked with our state partners to deliver the Champlain Hudson Power Express - helping supply New York's energy needs to sustain our continued economic growth."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "The Champlain Hudson Power Express project brings clean, renewable energy to bolster the reliability of New York City's grid and improve public health by reducing harmful emissions, particularly in our most vulnerable communities. This milestone, in combination with Governor Hochul's legacy of historic energy affordability and reliability investments, is helping secure clean and reliable energy, creating good-paying jobs, and prioritizing climate equity that benefits all New Yorkers."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "A plentiful supply of reliable and affordable clean energy is essential to power New York State's economic future. The New York State Department of Labor, working with Governor Hochul and our agency partners, is proud to continue our efforts connecting New Yorkers with rewarding and in-demand careers in the clean energy sector, building the skilled workforce necessary to support our progress toward a clean energy grid and economy."

New York State Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "Our congratulations to Governor Hochul and the entire CHPE team on delivering and energizing this vital infrastructure on time. CHPE is already serving as a reliable lifeline for New York City's power system, providing economic and community benefits for New Yorkers now that will continue for decades to come. We at NYPA are proud to be playing an important role, working closely with our partners at TDI, NYSERDA, and ConEd, in connecting the Champlain Hudson Power Express to New York City's grid."

New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley said, "This is a watershed moment for the future of energy policy in New York State as well as the many New York City consumers who will now benefit from clean, reliable and resilient energy. The innovative idea to create a pathway between Canadian hydropower and New York City has come to fruition through the hard work of Transmission Developers, Inc. and multiple state agencies. The Department of State is thrilled to have played a role in making this bold vision a reality and supporting the Governor's pragmatic and effective State Energy Plan. This milestone is a testament to the fact that great things can happen when the public and private sectors work together toward a clean and reliable energy economy."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavitsky said, "As clean hydropower comes online, New York can lean less on the fossil fuels concentrated in our communities. That means healthier air for Queens families and a stronger grid for the entire city. I thank Governor Hochul for delivering it."

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "I am happy to see the Champlain Hudson Power Express project come online, meeting 20 percent of New York City's energy needs with clean, reliable hydropower. This project is a critical step in reducing emissions and addressing New York City's shrinking reliability margin,"

Assemblymember Deborah Glick said, "As New York continues to transition away from fossil fuel dependence to a cleaner energy future, projects like CHPE play an essential role. The delivery of large quantities of clean electricity into the downstate region will help reduce emissions and provide an important new source of dependable power for the electric grid. I am very pleased that in this project Governor Kathy Hochul demonstrates the importance of renewable energy and her commitment to expand essential transmission capacity for New York State."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, "The Champlain Hudson Power Express shows what is possible when we make ambitious public investments and see them through. New Yorkers deserve a future powered by clean, reliable, affordable energy; this project brings that future within reach," said Mayor Mamdani. "It is the result of sustained organizing, partnership and public commitment, and New York City is proud to have been a partner in making it happen. In the wealthiest city in the world's richest country, all New Yorkers deserve access to clean and affordable energy."

Blackstone President and COO John Gray said, "This is a transformational project - bringing vital energy from Quebec to Queens - that will help lower emissions and meet almost one-fifth of New York City's power needs. Today marks the culmination of a 16-year journey and we could not be prouder that Blackstone's long-term capital helped make it a reality. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, TDI, Hydro-Québec, the federal government, the City of New York, and our many other partners in delivering cleaner energy for the City of New York.

TDI Chairman of the Board Brian Kubeck said, "CHPE has been more than fifteen years in the making, and this milestone to transform New York City's energy mix and strengthen the reliability of the city's electrical grid belongs to everyone who helped move the project from concept to reality. Thanks to Governor Hochul's bold leadership, NYSERDA's commitment to New York's clean energy transition, our long-term partners at Blackstone and Hydro-Québec, our construction and distribution partners and our dedicated team at TDI, we are celebrating the addition of clean, reliable hydropower available for New York's grid and ready to power over a million homes. This project demonstrates what can be accomplished when dedicated private investment is able to support smart, strategic government policies, and we hope that CHPE's success is able to serve as an example for how large infrastructure projects can find success in the future."

President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec Claudine Bouchard said, "CHPE illustrates how complex infrastructure can be delivered through sustained collaboration and shared expertise. More importantly, it highlights the growing role of interconnected transmission grids in enhancing system reliability and resilience. By linking energy resources across borders, projects like this help lay the foundation for the next generation of energy systems."

North Country Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Garry Douglas said, "The completion of CHPE is a truly historic milestone in meeting the state's need for clean energy. And it's another major economic connection between New York and Quebec, further building our shared future. The North Country Chamber is proud of its strong and active support of this visionary project from the start and we thank and congratulate all involved. Onward and upward!"

New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera said, "The launch of the Champlain Hudson Power Express is a significant milestone for New York's green infrastructure and our statewide economic development. This moment is a representation of how true investment in clean energy can create true family-sustaining union careers, pathways to the middle class, and opportunities for our local communities and hard-working New Yorkers to flourish. Our members are proud to have played a role in pushing this project across the finish line and helping New York maintain its energy goals."