direct testimony of the capital expenditures, reliability, and - nyseg

Case 09-E-____; Case 09-G-____ (NYSEG)DIRECT TESTIMONY OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES,RELIABILITY, AND OPERATIONS PANEL12345678910111213141516171819202122Q. To the extent such interconnection is possible, what is the anticipated cost ofconnecting these facilities to the utility distribution system?A. Interconnection of this amount of generation via the distribution system is notoptimal. To the extent we were to attempt to do so the estimated cost is $17.8million.Q. Is the Company proposing a lower cost and more reliable way to provideinterconnection of farm digesters to the power system?A. Yes. Utilizing a new Transmission Collection System for farm digester systemsis a superior alternative to interconnection to the distribution system.Q. What is the Transmission Collection System?A. The Transmission Collection System is a dedicated transmission system thatinterconnects generation and is very similar in concept to the collection systemsused by wind farms.Q. Are you proposing to build the Transmission Collection System?A. Yes, the Transmission Collection System will be a 34.5 kV system overbuild ofthe existing distribution system that serves the load of these farm operations.Q. Does this project support the goals of the draft State Energy Plan (the "Plan")?A. Yes. The Plan released for review and comment in August, 2009, includes anumber of policy objectives and recommendations aimed at improving energyefficiency, system reliability, and the development of renewable energy resources.As noted in Section 1.1, "[t]he Plan supports development of a Clean EnergyEconomy – one that uses energy efficiently, is increasingly powered by low-20