The New York State Public Service Commission has announced it will terminate its ongoing process for developing offshore wind transmission infrastructure, citing significant uncertainty at the federal level. The decision effectively closes the Public Policy Transmission Need (PPTN) process, which was intended to support the integration of up to 8GW of offshore wind energy into New York City’s electricity grid by 2033.
Launched in 2023, the PPTN process aimed to coordinate long-term transmission planning for future offshore wind resources. The Commission referred the identified need to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which began soliciting and evaluating proposals in April 2024.
However, recent federal actions halting the permitting and construction of offshore wind platforms have undermined the feasibility of achieving the state’s offshore wind targets in the near term. The Commission concluded that proceeding with the transmission solicitation would impose undue risk and cost on ratepayers without a clear path forward for generation development.
As a result, the Commission has rescinded its determination of transmission need and terminated NYISO’s evaluation process. The decision does not affect offshore wind projects that have already secured permits.
The Commission stated it will continue to monitor federal policy developments and assess their implications for offshore wind in New York and the USA.
