The operator of the power grid for 13 states including
Pennsylvania and New Jersey will invest $1.5 billion to upgrade aging energy
infrastructure across its territory, the organization announced Wednesday.
PJM Interconnection is an independent regional
transmission organization that manages the high-voltage electric power system
for 65 million people across the Eastern Seaboard and into the Midwest,
including the major cities of Philadelphia, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Its
board voted to spend the $1.5 billion necessary to upgrade electric
transmission projects, both small and large, but the biggest project will
address aging infrastructure elements in three New Jersey counties —
Burlington, Mercer and Middlesex — and rebuild transmission lines. Some
PSE&G lines and facilities in that corridor have reached 80 years of age,
and are showing signs of wear, PJM said.
“The growing need
to replace aging infrastructure, energy efficiency and the resulting reduction
in the growth of demand for electricity are affecting transmission
development,” Andrew Ott, PJM president and CEO, said in a
statement. “The current round of projects approved by the Board reflects the
trend.”
The projects are designed to increase reliability for the
tens of millions of customers, and also include replacing transformers,
upgrading circuit and rebuilding lines in other states within PJM's footprint.
“Our job is to make sure that the infrastructure all of
us count on is sound and delivering power in the safest and most efficient
way,” Ott said.
Valley Forge-based PJM, an independent party, also
operates a wholesale electricity market and improves the regional transmission
lines to ensure the grid is operating efficiently and energy demand is met.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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