On July 1, 2010, the Commission granted Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. (“Champlain”) authority to charge negotiated rates for transmission rights on its high voltage direct current (“HVDC”) project from Montreal, Quebec to New York City and New England (the “Project).

Champlain has also applied for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need with the New York State Public Service Commission on March 30, 2010 (see April 23, 2010 edition of the WER).  On May 3, 2010, Champlain filed an application for negotiated rates with the Commission.  In their application, Champlain stated that it “intends” to turn over operational control of the completed Project to the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. and to ISO New England Inc. 

In its approval order, the Commission concluded that Champlain supported its request for authority to charge the negotiated rates as just and reasonable.  The Commission also found that Champlain met the definition of a merchant transmission owner, that Champlain’s proposal for 75 percent of presubscription from anchor customers was acceptable, and that the Project does not pose a risk of undue discrimination.

A copy of the Commission’s approval order is available here.