Bill > A04559

This bill enacts the "Build to Need Act", which directs the New York Public Service Commission to implement a comprehensive grid planning process for electric corporations to support the state's electrification and climate policy goals. The bill requires electric corporations to proactively plan grid infrastructure upgrades by gathering data on future electric loads, considering distributed energy resources and load management technologies, and identifying potential system needs, particularly in areas with expected electrification like transportation corridors. The legislation establishes a framework for evaluating and approving infrastructure projects in two tiers, with specific requirements for larger "tier one" projects that include community benefit plans, advanced technology considerations, and transparent cost recovery mechanisms. Key provisions mandate that electric corporations provide updated load projections, use at least a ten-year planning horizon for transmission investments, consider load management activities, develop proactive solutions for system needs, and offer flexible interconnection options for customers. The bill also requires electric corporations to create community benefit plans that deliver meaningful advantages to affected communities, particularly disadvantaged areas, and includes provisions for workforce development and community engagement. Additionally, the Public Service Commission must establish interconnection timelines, reporting requirements, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure electric corporations meet the state's electrification objectives efficiently and equitably.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4559