O&R Investing $293 Million to Keep the Power On This Summer

By Y.M. Lowy

Orange and Rockland Utilities is spending $293 million this year to keep power reliable, even during summer heat and storms. That money is going into new equipment, better energy systems, and tree trimming to help prevent outages.

Last year, O&R had to respond to ten big storms or heat waves. But thanks to past upgrades, fewer people lost power — nearly 30 percent fewer than the year before. 

From massive substations in Rockland County to temporary mobile power in Monroe, the company is rewiring the grid. New projects include a $58 million substation in Tomkins Cove, another substation in Middletown has just been upgraded, and a temporary power station in Monroe. 

After clearing over 2,600 hazard trees last year, O&R is going for 2,000 more this time around.