ALBANY, New York — Environmental groups and labor unions are backing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to speed up permits for transmission projects, but a key Democratic lawmaker wants to see more details.
Hochul’s budget proposal, dubbed the “RAPID Act,” includes a significant change to how New York approves transmission lines, which proponents say is needed to accelerate the pace of building the wires needed to support the state’s transition to renewable energy.
“The ‘RAPID Act,’ by creating a one-stop shop of environmental review and permitting, will allow for the state’s transmission processes to follow a new framework that balances transparency with environmental protection and the need for fast decisionmaking, all while continuing to be responsive to community feedback,” Jessica Waldorf, the Department of Public Service chief of staff, said at a event organized by the Alliance for Clean Energy New York on Tuesday.
The state’s target of relying on 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and electrifying buildings and vehicles will also require upgrades and expansions of the transmission system delivering that energy. The New York Independent System Operator has flagged this issue for years, and the state has moved forward with some large-scale projects to address congestion on the electric grid.
