What's happening
This bill requires electric transmission line facilities to conform to the most recent state energy plan and consider environmental impacts.
Why it matters
Aligns transmission line projects with the state's latest energy priorities. By requiring conformity with the most recent state energy plan, the bill ensures that new transmission lines support up-to-date goals such as renewable energy integration, grid modernization, and climate mandates.
Promotes broader environmental and public interest review. The amendment mandates explicit consideration of whether new transmission lines would have negative environmental impacts, including those caused by increases in electric generation either within or outside New York, potentially affecting air quality, emissions, and ecosystems.
Shifts focus from purely technical/economic grid needs to holistic state policy. Instead of just considering grid expansion and reliability, decision-makers must now weigh projects against comprehensive energy and environmental strategies, potentially influencing which projects get approved and how they're designed.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Update Transmission Line Approval
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to energy
- Referred to energy
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Tougher Rules for Power Lines
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
161
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON, L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Energy
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to approval of electric transmission line facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 of section 126 of the public service law, as amended by chapter 521 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
(e) in the case of an electric transmission line, (1) what part, if any, of the line shall be located underground; (2) that such facility conforms to [a long-range plan for expansion of the electric power grid of the electric systems serving this state and interconnected utility systems, which will serve the interests of electric system economy and reliability] the most recent state energy plan as established pursuant to article six of the energy law, with consideration of whether the approval of such facility would cause adverse impacts on the state's environmental quality due to an increase in in-state or out-of-state electric generation;
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01880-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.