Executive Speeches

Remarks of Eugene W. Zeltmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Power Authority, at the 8th International Symposium on Environmental Concerns in Rights-of-Way Management, Saratoga Springs, New York

September 13, 2004

On behalf of Governor George E. Pataki, I’m happy to join in welcoming you to New York State.  I see that the agenda is full, but I hope you have a chance to explore Saratoga Springs—one of New York’s most charming and historic spots.

The Power Authority is delighted to be a co-sponsor of this symposium.  And I’m extremely pleased that EPRI is another major sponsor.

The Power Authority owns and operates about 1,400 circuit miles of transmission lines—and our system includes about one-third of all the high-voltage transmission in the state.  So effective right-of-way management is obviously critical to us.

The blackout of 2003 has, of course, focused even greater attention on this matter at the Authority—and throughout the electric power industry.

As I’m sure you all know—and have heard far too often—the U.S.-Canada Power System Outage Task Force identified inadequate tree trimming as a major initiating cause of the blackout—and of several widespread power failures in previous years.

These findings are being taken very seriously in the electric utility industry and by public and regulatory officials on both the state and federal levels.  So I think it’s clear that right-of-way management issues—and particularly vegetation management issues—are going to be front and center for some time.

Shortly after the Task Force’s report was released last April, the trade publication “Engineering News-Record” noted that the group’s recommendations had focused on four “Ts”—Tools, Training, Transmission Assets and Trees.  It occurred to me that, in many ways, these elements form the backbone of the Power Authority’s strategy for our 16,000 acres of rights-of-way that require vegetation management.

One of the most important of our Tools is the Geographic Information System that we began implementing in 1999 and is now virtually complete.  G-I-S provides the ultimate in panoramic snapshots—digital  mapping—showing the location of all of our transmission facilities, the status of vegetation treatments and growth, sensitive environmental areas and much, much more.  I am extremely pleased that our innovative use of this system has earned us a 2004 Special Achievements in G-I-S award—better known as a SAG award—from the G-I-S software developer, Environmental Systems Research Institute.

We’ve also centralized our vegetation-management efforts—which had been largely carried out by staff members at individual power projects.

To this end, in 1998, we appointed our first System Forester.  Two years later, we created a Transmission Maintenance Group, with the System Forester given responsibility for all right-of-way environmental activities—including vegetation management.

Then, in 2001, we began a new program calling for all lines to be treated on regular four-year cycles.  Previously, the work had been done on an “as-needed” basis, as determined by visual observation during routine field inspections.

As for the next “T,” the Power Authority supplies funding and manpower for the statewide Training of certified pesticide applicators. We also provide additional training to our contractor work force so new applicators can become eligible for certification as apprentices.

Our commitment to training is complemented by our sponsorship of national and state research on right-of-way management.

We’ve been a member of EPRI’s Right-of-Way Environmental Management Research Target since its beginning in 1998.  We have also worked with the State University of New York College at Oneonta to do ongoing detailed environmental monitoring at a single right-of-way site.  And two years ago, we joined a consortium of New York State utilities that is co-funding a $1.4 million right-of-way field research program by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.  Let me say that we appreciate the support and leadership of ESF President Neil Murphy in this and a number of other cooperative efforts.

Transmission Assets are the third “T.” Here, I want to focus on our completion this year of the convertible static compensator—the latest generation of FACTS technology and the world’s most advanced device for controlling voltage and power flow on existing transmission lines.

The CSC has increased capacity on the New York State system by nearly 200 megawatts. If you could put enough of these devices in place, you’d postpone the need for new or upgraded transmission lines—and new or expanded rights-of-way.  That could be a pretty good formula in its own right for efficient vegetation management.

The fact is, though, that Trees—and specifically their selective removal—will always be central to our overall strategy.  Our integrated vegetation management program is intended to eliminate tall-growing trees that could threaten reliable power transmission.  But it’s also designed to promote the growth of stable, compatible low-growing plant communities that will inhibit the return of undesirable trees and at the same time provide numerous environmental benefits.

We rely on the judicious, low-volume application of herbicides and on various other cultural, physical and biological methods—a cost-effective approach that we believe will reduce the need for future maintenance.

In 2002, we became a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program—enabling us to share our ideas on integrated vegetation management with others interested in right-of-way issues.

So these are our four Ts—Tools, Training, Transmission Assets and Trees—courtesy of Engineering News-Record.  But I’d like to add a fifth—for Talk.  Actually, “communication” would probably be the more accurate and dignified term.

I’m referring here to communication with the landowners along our transmission rights-of-way.  That’s particularly important since we rely on easements for the rights to virtually all of the right-of-way property.

Each year—before we begin our vegetation treatment program—we advise affected landowners of the upcoming work.  Typically, about 90 percent have no comment.  But to those who express concerns, we respond by mail, telephone, e-mail or in-person visits.  We also solicit landowners’ thoughts on the most appropriate vegetation management measures and on activities they can undertake to help us achieve our goals.

These communication efforts are a key part of our integrated vegetation management program.  We believe that—through this program—we’re meeting our objectives while respecting the delicate balance between energy and environmental concerns.  But we realize that we have a great deal to learn from many of you—and that all of us can profit from the experience and expertise of others.

This symposium offers a terrific opportunity to do just that—particularly at a time of increased public consciousness and appreciation of the importance of successful right-of-way management.

Again, it’s great to see all of you here.  Thank you—and have a productive and enjoyable week.