WASHINGTON, DC – Late Thursday evening, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham directed the New York and New England Independent System Operators (ISOs) to activate, if necessary, the Cross Sound Cable connecting Shoreham, Long Island and New Haven, Connecticut. This order will allow power to flow on the Cross Sound Cable between the two states. Activation of this 330 megawatt cable will help stabilize voltage between the two states and enable electricity to flow quickly when the generation system is operable, reducing the time needed for full restoration and reliable operation of the electric system.

"I hereby determine that an emergency exists due to a shortage of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the generation of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the transmission of electric energy and other causes, and that issuance of this order will alleviate the emergency and serve the public interest." The cable will allow electricity to flow in either direction between Long Island and Connecticut as needed.

The Secretary’s order will be effective until September 1, 2003 or modified as the situation warrants.

The text of the order is as follows:

Order No. 202-03-1

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 824a(c), and section 301(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act, 42 U.S.C. 7151(b), I hereby determine that an emergency exists due to a shortage of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the generation of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the transmission of electric energy and other causes, and that issuance of this order will alleviate the emergency and serve the public interest. Based on this determination, I hereby order:

From the effective date and time of this order until 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, September 1, 2003, or until such earlier or later time as I may order, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) and ISO New England, Inc. (NEISO) are directed to require Cross-Sound Cable Company, LLC (CSC) to operate the Cross-Sound Cable and related facilities connecting substations in New Haven, Connecticut and Shoreham, Long Island, New York, when the NYISO and NEISO determine it necessary to alleviate the current disruptions in electric transmission service, to transmit and deliver electric capacity and/or energy when, as and in such amounts as may be scheduled and purchased, and to take such actions as are necessary in order to enable it to do so, including but not limited to energizing and continuing to energize the facilities of CSC to transmit and deliver electric capacity and/or energy from Long Island to Connecticut or from Connecticut to Long Island, all in accordance with the operating and scheduling protocols of the NYISO and NEISO. The NYISO and NEISO must mutually agree prior to issuing any directive to CSC pursuant to this order, and are directed to consult with each other and with appropriate reliability organizations to ensure that all actions pursuant to this order, and the scheduling of such electric capacity and/or energy, will not violate system operating criteria. If necessary, just and reasonable terms for the transmission and delivery of electric capacity and/or energy pursuant to this order, including the compensation therefor, shall be established by a supplemental order issued pursuant to Federal Power Act section 202(c).

This order shall be effective upon its issuance.

Issued in Washington, D.C. at 11:42 pm this 14 day of August, 2003.

Spencer Abraham
Secretary of Energy

Media Contact(s):
Jeanne Lopatto, 202/586-4940