Jan 18 (Reuters) - The New York state's utilities regulator on Thursday approved Con Edison's $1.2 billion reliable clean city project in Queens.

The Idlewild project is key to the state's efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 85% of 1990 levels by 2050, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) said in a statement.

The clean city project is needed to maintain Con Edison's electrical system reliability and as points of interconnection for energy storage and future clean energy projects, as well as mitigating future reliability concerns stemming from load growth, the PSC said.

"With today's decision, Con Edison will be making infrastructure investments that are designed to promote the transition to a clean-energy economy while ensuring the reliability of the electric grid overall," said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. (Reporting by Daksh Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)