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Why it matters
Shifts approval criteria from a general grid expansion focus to explicit alignment with the state’s current energy plan. , meaning new transmission lines must help achieve broader policy goals (such as renewable energy targets or emissions reductions), not just grid reliability or economic efficiency.
Requires regulators to consider environmental impacts—including increases in both in-state and out-of-state electric generation emissions—when approving new transmission lines. , potentially leading to stricter scrutiny of projects that could worsen air quality or contribute to climate change.
Gives the “state energy plan” a stronger, more direct role in shaping major infrastructure decisions. , elevating its legal influence on which transmission projects move forward and how they are justified to the public and stakeholders.
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Tougher Rules for Power Lines
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
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Update Transmission Line Approval
In Assembly Committee · Energy · Sponsor Kevin Cahill
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1608
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to approval of elec- tric transmission line facilities
Purpose
The purpose to this bill is to require the ,ablic Service Commission (PSC) , to consult the most recent State Energy. Plan (SEP) before issu- ing a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need ("certificate") for an electric transmission line.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends paragraph (d) of subsection 1..) of section 126 of the public service law.
Justification
This bill requires that in an Article VII proceeding on an electric transmission line, the PSC must determine whether or not the proposed facility, if built, would correspond with the most recent energy plan, while considering the prospect of additional environmental impacts that may be caused by increased electrical generation as a result of ouch facility was improved. The legislation is intended.. to preent the approval of projects which mav directly result in increased electrical generation produced from dirty sources, including coal that would impact the state's environment.
In September 2010, the PSC granted a certificate for the construction of the Hudson Transmission Project. The eight -mile underaround trans- mission cable is intended to connect the New York Power Authority's (NYPA' governmental customers to the PJ:,: Interconnection, the 13-state wholesale electrical market that serves, New Jersey, Pennsylva- nia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. The PSC approved the certif- icate despite testimony from various participants who argued that the facility was unnecessary - due to existing electrical capacity in the New York IndePendent System Cperator (NYISO) wholesale electrical market. Additionally, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) testified that PTE. would result in additional coal- fired in PJK. Nearly half of PJ10, is produced in from coal fire gener- ator, many. of which are located in Pennsylvania, a state upwind of New York. The DEC testified that only 13 percent of NYISO power was gener- ated from coal.
The 2009 State Energy Plan included energy and transportation strategies that would reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, including the need to increase the amunt energy produced by cleaner burning and renewable resources. The PSC's decision regarding HTP appears to he contradict policies one orated in the Energy Plan.
Legislative history
2017/18: S.222 Energy and Telecommunications
2015-16: S.2378A/A.1573A - Amended and Recommitted to Energy and Tele- communication
2013-14: S.99/A.1244 - Held in Energy and Telecommunications
2011-12: S.5526/A.739 - Passed the Assembly - Held in Energy and Tele- communications
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediatly.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.