PSE&G

STUDY DETAILS EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF TRANSMISSION PROJECTS

The Brattle Group recently released a report on the employment and economic benefits of investing in transmission infrastructure, such as the North Central Reliability Project.

A robust transmission grid not only ensures reliable delivery of electricity but provides many other benefits such as reducing power production costs, facilitating renewable energy development, and providing insurance against extreme events such as local power shortages due to weather and other factors. Investment in transmission infrastructure also supports employment and stimulates the economy.

Economic benefits are significant. Each million dollars of transmission investment supports five to eight years of local full-time employment, with an expected economic impact of $1.4 million to $1.8 million.
According to the report, transmission infrastructure projects may be driven by a single concern, such as reliability, but may also relieve transmission congestion and enable future integration of lower-cost renewable resources. PJM Interconnection, the regional entity responsible for planning the transmission system, has noted that voltage upgrades can lower congestion costs by $1.7 billion, which benefits New Jersey ratepayers.