Bill > S04430

This bill amends the public service law to enhance emergency response planning for electric corporations by requiring more detailed and comprehensive emergency preparedness strategies. Specifically, the bill mandates that electric companies submit annual emergency response plans to the Public Service Commission (PSC) that include specific details about staffing, equipment, and a performance schedule for service restoration during emergencies like storms or cyber attacks. The bill introduces a requirement for the PSC to establish a time-based restoration schedule that sets benchmarks for customer service restoration, such as the percentage of customers who should have power restored within each 24-hour period following an emergency event. The plan must also cover critical areas like identifying management staff responsible for emergency operations, creating communication systems for customers during emergencies, developing outreach plans for customers with medical equipment needs or critical service requirements, ensuring employee safety, establishing procedures for deploying repair crews, identifying additional equipment needs, and creating protocols for securing downed wires and coordinating with local officials and other utilities. The goal is to improve electric utilities' preparedness and response capabilities during widespread service interruptions, with a focus on prompt and efficient service restoration.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4430