Frequently Asked Questions
On the Proposed Long Island Offshore

No. The cable is solid dielectric so it will not carry any harmful liquids or materials that can leak into the environment.

Sediment transport modeling is currently being prepared through a combination of field studies and computer modeling. The Project will conduct sediment transport modeling to assess potential erosion patterns and processes under various conditions. The modeling will include the potential effects of both the submarine cables and the wind turbine foundations. Highly effective sea scour control system mattresses would be installed to provide the best protection against erosion. The modeling analyses will determine the scour zone or area of influence of a single turbine on currents and waves and then determine what interaction, if any, would occur among the turbines, and whether the zones of influence would extend to the near-shore area. There have been a number of past studies of the effects due to piles that will be reviewed to determine their applicability for this Project. These studies include investigations concerning the effects of waves and currents on offshore structures. These analyses will be conducted for typical marine conditions and storm events. The results of the sediment transport modeling will be presented as part of the environmental review and permitting processes.

Any installation will require the approval of the PSC under the Article VII permit process. The cable crossing of the “Field of Dreams” would utilize an existing duct system and would result in no visual or structural impacts to the park.

The cable will be shifted east of the bulkhead away from anchoring points and embedded at an appropriate depth, a minimum of six feet below the seabed. The exact cable route will address site specific concerns and issues as appropriate; it will be adjusted accordingly based on data provided by the marine survey and comments received.

Analysis of the impacts of Historical Meteorological events coupled with an understanding of beach re-nourishment efforts will be used to determine the configuration and depth profile for the cable so that it is sufficiently protected from exposure. The annual recession of the beach is not expected to expose the cable since it would be buried at a depth required to protect it from the 100-year storm event. A beach erosion and sediment transport model will be prepared and presented during the environmental review and permitting processes.

The cable routing for the primary and alternate routes will be addressed in the environmental review and permitting processes, including the NYSPSC Article VII Application. Continuing the cable up the Narraskatuck River is not considered optimal since private property underground easements would be required, the narrow channel does not allow sufficient space for a cable lay barge and the use of jet plow equipment, and there is inadequate staging area available for construction equipment on land at the northern end of the river.

The proposed transmission cable will be evaluated for potential impacts, both short-term impacts associated with installation, and long-term operational impacts. Installation will be achieved through a process called jet plowing, in which a localized trench is carved in the seabed by water injection into the sandy bottom. The cable is placed in the trench; the trench is then back filled and appears to have had no disturbance within a matter of hours or a few days. This process has been proven to be minimally intrusive to aquatic organisms. The cable will be directionally drilled under the barrier island which entails establishing a cable connection vault on land, preferably in the Ocean Parkway median. From this vault a sleeve will be installed out into the ocean to a point offshore and out into the Great South Bay. The cable will be slipped through that sleeve and spliced together in the vault. The Project developers will conduct extensive environmental studies to determine the impact, if any, of electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) on navigational aids and the marine environment. The solid cable that will be used has no oil or fluids in it to leak and has an armor plate covering it to minimize any EMF field strength. EMFs are not expected to have any significant impact due to advancements in design and the installation methods that will be utilized. Before installation the NYS PSC will review the project to validate its safety. The cable will be buried at least six feet under the seabed and buried at least four feet underground on land. This is deeper than many recent marine cable installations. LIPA currently has existing undersea cables, both AC and DC, that have been in operation for many years.