PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (PPL) and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) were the permit applicants constructing an electric-reliability project known as the Susquehanna-Roseland Project. Among other resource crossings, approximately four miles of the Susquehanna-Roseland Project would cross three National Park Service (NPS) units in Pennsylvania and New Jersey: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The project entailed upgrading an existing 230-kilovolt line to a 500-kilovolt line to help ensure reliable delivery of power to markets in the Northeast.

Although the project would be constructed within the footprint of existing transmission lines, new, taller towers would be needed to accommodate the higher voltage line. Through its analysis of the project, the NPS determined the replacement of the original transmission towers would have significant impacts on the views and character of the three park service units affected by the project.

The Conservation Solution

By constructing the project in an existing transmission line corridor, PPL and PSE&G reduced impacts that would have otherwise resulted from routing the project through previously undisturbed areas. Recognizing that even with impact-minimization efforts, the Susquehanna-Roseland Project would have unavoidable adverse impacts on NPS resources, PPL and PSE&G established the $66-million Middle Delaware Mitigation Fund.

The Conservation Fund was called upon to administer this fund to preserve, restore and enhance NPS scenic, cultural and recreational resources as well as habitat for fish and wildlife and lands that help protect and improve water quality in the Delaware River and its tributaries. In partnership with the NPS and in coordination with PPL and PSE&G, we administer the mitigation fund to facilitate stewardship, cultural resource protection, historic property restoration and land acquisitions that will be managed for conservation and recreational purposes in perpetuity.

Outcome Highlights

Conservation

To date, we have utilized the Middle Delaware Mitigation Fund to help add 1,992 acres of land to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, 166 acres to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and 1,291 acres to the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Economic

Electric reliability was bolstered for 61 million consumers spread across 13 states and Washington, D.C.