A letter in the March 2 issue provides an opportunity to inform your readers about the planned restoration of trees and other vegetation along the Wantagh State Parkway in connection with the Neptune transmission project. Temporary disturbance and removal of vegetation in certain areas was necessary in order to bury the underground cable, and was done with the permission and under the supervision of responsible New York State agencies.

Now that the cable has been buried, complete restoration of the vegetation is scheduled to begin in late March - again, with the approval and under the supervision of these agencies. We expect that restoration will leave the areas improved in comparison with pre-construction conditions. Similarly, the bike path extending from Cedar Creek to Jones Beach will be completely resurfaced when it reopens later in the spring. We appreciate the public's patience during the construction period, which is nearly at an end.

Please note that the Neptune transmission line was selected by LIPA as the most cost-effective means of bringing more than 600 megawatts of needed power to Long Island while avoiding the construction of additional fossil-fueled plants, and its benefits should serve Long Island's energy customers long after the temporary disturbance has been restored and forgotten.

Anyone with specific questions about the Neptune project is welcome to call us toll-free at 877-466-7344 or email us at info@neptunerts.com, and we will respond promptly.

Christopher Hocker

Vice President, Planning

Neptune Regional Transmission System, LLC