Bill > S08618

This bill requires the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) to establish a mapping, installation, and efficiency plan for building new electric transmission lines in New York State. The plan will identify locations where new or existing transmission lines can be built or upgraded, excluding indigenous land and prime agricultural areas. ORES will also promulgate rules and regulations to simplify and maximize the efficiency of installing new transmission lines, considering factors like labor, time, and cost. Additionally, ORES will gather data on the capacity and efficiency of electric distribution infrastructure in areas with high levels of line congestion and/or high renewable energy penetration. ORES will then release the mapping tool, efficiency plan, and a report detailing the processes, data, potential locations for new lines, and other relevant information. Finally, ORES will submit annual reports to the legislature on the status of new transmission lines built under its oversight.