Propel NY Power Line Project Faces Queens Opposition
Community Board 11 is seeking allies to oppose the 90-mile underground transmission project approved by state regulators.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Utilities
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Community Board 11 sent a letter seeking allies to oppose the Propel NY power line project, which the New York State Public Service Commission approved in September. The project would route about 90 miles of new underground transmission lines through several counties, including Queens and the Bronx.
Why it matters
The letter states that the existing grid has not been updated since the 1980s, which proponents cite as the basis for the upgrade. Opposition centers on the disruption the construction would cause in Queens neighborhoods along the proposed route.
The project spans 90 miles of new underground transmission at 138 and 345 kilovolts, connecting nine substations across five counties. The offshore wind source meant to supply the line has been shelved, and no replacement supply plan was addressed.
The players
Community Board 11
Community Board 11 is a Queens advisory body that represents local residents on land use and neighborhood issues.
New York State Public Service Commission
The New York State Public Service Commission is the state agency that regulates utilities and approved the Propel NY project's certificate.
New York Power Authority
The New York Power Authority is a state-owned public power provider that co-owns the Propel NY Energy joint venture.
Sen. John Liu
John Liu is a New York State senator who backs the decision to avoid running lines beneath the Joe Michaels Mile.
The details
The route approved on September 17 runs from Northern Boulevard at the Nassau County border to the waterline at Francis Lewis Park and crosses beneath the East River to the Bronx. The approved route avoids the Joe Michaels Mile, where horizontal directional drilling is not considered viable, and Sen. John Liu supports that decision.
Timeline
September: The PSC approved Propel's certificate of environmental compatibility and public need.
September 17: The PSC approved the route through Queens.
November 3: Community Board 11 held a board meeting where Liu spoke.
Roadmap
The Propel NY project moves forward under a state certificate of environmental compatibility and public need, which the Public Service Commission granted in September. Its underlying offshore wind supply has been shelved, leaving the transmission build dependent on a source that no longer has federal backing.
Residents along the proposed Queens route could face miles of road disruption during construction, affecting daily commutes and local access. Households in the affected counties should watch for construction notices as planning advances.
The takeaway
Large infrastructure projects can advance through state approval while still facing local objections over routing and disruption. Residents who want to influence the outcome typically engage through their community board and elected representatives during planning stages.
Further reading
Explore more on Utilities coverage tied to New York City's grid and infrastructure projects.
Source note: This article includes information reported by QNS.
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