NJ Transitgrid Traction Power System

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Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations: Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory Description: The purpose of the proposed project, being advanced by NJ Transit, is to enhance the resiliency of the electricity supply to the NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak infrastructure that serves key commuter markets in New York and New Jersey to minimize public transportation service disruptions.  The region's public transportation infrastructure is vulnerable to power outages due to the nature of the existing centralized power distribution system and the intensity and frequency of severe weather events.  The proposed microgrid will be a state-of-the-art electric power generating facility that will be scaled to provide emergency power for NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak service operating between New York's Penn Station and northeastern New Jersey as well as other transit service.  It is anticipated that the new facility will be able to generate approximately 104 megawatts (MW) of electricity.  Natural gas-fired generation was identified as the most cost-effective choice to serve the identified traction power loads (i.e., the power needed to operate trains).   Clean-burning natural gas will provide fuel for the combustion turbines and/or engines. The proposed project also includes new transmission lines from the new facility to existing substations and to a new proposed substation. A no action alternative, which contemplates roadway and transit facility improvements (other than the proposed project) planned for and programmed to be implemented by the year 2021 (the proposed projects completion year), will be defined to serve as a baseline for comparison to the build alternative options.  A project site for the approximate 104 MW power plant was identified in Kearny, Hudson County, New Jersey based on site screening analyses.

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