Protecting Habitat & Enhancing Biodiversity
In 2022, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY) embarked on a new endeavor to formalize and adopt policies within our operations that protect and restore biodiversity in unique and creative ways. One of this year’s priorities was to launch a formal program with the aim of protecting habitat and enhancing biodiversity in the ecosystems in which we work, and on our own property.
We recently issued a Biodiversity Action Plan that highlights the importance of biodiversity restoration and protection, and lists our initiatives and metric-driven goals.
The 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference emphasized the urgency and growing importance of biological preservation, enhancement, and protection in all aspects of life. Our commitments align with their views, and we are uniquely positioned to help provide a public benefit along our thousands of acres of overhead transmission lines and areas adjacent to waterways. As we continue to evaluate the main drivers affecting biodiversity loss within our operational territory, we hope to aid in addressing this urgent environmental need.
Consolidated Edison Company of New York (CECONY)
As highlighted in CECONY’s Biodiversity Action Plan, we have committed to taking steps to address the main drivers of biodiversity loss through several high-level principles:
- Strengthen our corporate governance and awareness around biodiversity
- Understand potential drivers of biodiversity loss across our Companys’ value chain
- Promote biodiversity by implementing the initiatives listed in the action plan
- Be transparent in our monitoring and reporting efforts by using industry-approved metrics
- Prioritize initiatives that have a focus on economically disadvantaged communities
- Educate and partner with local stakeholders to help preserve biodiversity and address local environmental threats
Some of the initiatives will include rewilding manicured lawns and planting native pollinator seed mixes on Company property during a project’s restoration which are simple ways to provide a tangible benefit while meeting our goals. Wild populations of pollinators such as bees and butterflies are in decline and there is a growing national movement to revert land similar to its “wild” or natural state. Using natural vegetation and pollinator friendly mixes in the restored areas will increase carbon capture, reduce mowing costs and emissions, and increase natural pollinator populations. Our goal is to rewild at least three acres on CECONY’s property by 2024.
In 2023, customers will also see an increase in sustainability-driven communications, in-person events, and press-releases to raise awareness and develop educational opportunities among various stakeholders. These will be similar to our event in June 2022, when we participated in the Annual Pollinator Week through the Electric Power Research Institute and promoted the benefits of collocating pollinator species with overhead electric transmission lines.
Orange & Rockland Utilities (O&R)
O&R follows similar practices to CECONY on its respective properties. In 2022, we regenerated approximately 5.5 acres of biodiversity enhancement areas (e.g., restored areas with native habitat) in conjunction with seven operational projects, which included:
- Willowbrook Dam Project
- Middletown Operating Center Native Meadow Areas 2 and 3 Project
- Port Jervis Substation Rebuild Project
- Port Jervis Transmission Line Project
- Kathy Michell Biodiversity Enhancement Area
- Blooming Grove Operating Center Biodiversity Enhancement Area – Area 1
- Forestburgh Conference Center Habitat Enhancement Area
While the features of each constructed area are unique, every biodiversity enhancement area shared the same key requirements. Each project involved native seed establishment for diversity and abundance purposes, native tree, shrub, and herbaceous installation, artificial nesting construction, education and awareness signage, and in many cases the creation of a microhabitat area for specific species.
In 2022, O&R continued to hold monthly natural resources calls and day- or week-long events for World Bee Day, National Pollinator Week, Vespid and Snake Awareness, and International Bat Week, amongst others. O&R also participated in creating natural resource awareness programs for school functions and donated native plants and bat roosts during their respective awareness weeks. O&R anticipates establishing ten more biodiversity enhancement areas in 2023 and will continue to enhance the natural resources education and awareness campaign.
Con Edison Transmission (CET)
CET is also committed to minimizing environmental and wildlife impacts while employing safe work practices throughout all investments and construction of ongoing projects. This is directly demonstrated through one of CET’s electric investments, NY Transco, which is constructing the New York Energy Solution (NYES) and the Rock Tavern to Sugarloaf (RTS) projects. To restore the NYES and RTS rights of way, NY Transco is adhering to the New York State Blue Book recommendations for permanent construction area planting mixes using several different varieties of native seed mix throughout the projects’ footprint, such as creeping red fescue, chewings fescue, perennial ryegrass, and red clover.
In addition, project staff such as project managers and environmental support staff develop and maintain relationships with community leaders and organizations, local and state legislators, construction contractors, and environmental monitors to mitigate environmental impacts. Environmental and biodiversity efforts include protection of wetlands and waterbodies, minimizing impacts to habitats of various species including northern cricket frogs, bog turtles, timber rattlesnakes and bats, construction noise controls, clean air standards, and strict housekeeping on site.
Customer Member Survey
In October 2022, CECONY’s market research team conducted an external voluntary survey with 700 participants, to understand customer perceptions about “greening” Con Edison’s operations and restoration practices. The perceptions and takeaways from our stakeholders indicated a lack of awareness regarding biodiversity decline in New York State, and growing concern that we need to do more to protect the environment. The survey found:
- Customers, and especially lower-income customers, are concerned about the overall decline in biodiversity occurring in our region
- Customers expect more involvement from all stakeholders in addressing the biodiversity loss in our area
- Respondents believe Con Edison should be doing more to protect and preserve biodiversity
- Lack of awareness on our current initiatives and positive perceptions upon learning about them, which indicated a need for more social media engagement, educational outreach, and public releases in the future
- The company should continue to prioritize the core mission of ensuring reliable service and being mindful of the costs of the new initiatives
Plan for 2023 and Beyond
With the launch of CECONY’s Biodiversity Action Plan, which identifies our roadmap, we are excited to build upon our past actions and aim to move towards a net-positive impact in our operations and on our property. We will continue to work with our Corporate Affairs Strategic Partnership Programs to engage with local governments and nonprofits to further drive our numerous biodiversity and sustainability goals, and continue to look for ways to embed biodiversity protection and enhancement into our operational processes. We recognize the importance of making biodiversity protection and enhancement a higher priority and we are proud to respond to this international call for action.
