The New York State Public Service Commission has approved new regulations aimed at speeding up the modernization of the electric grid and reducing costs across the state. The decision follows a lengthy public comment process involving input from consumers, developers, environmental groups, municipalities, and other state agencies.
The regulations were adopted by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) under the Renewable Action Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act. ORES first released draft regulations in December 2024 and held 20 in-person hearings at 11 locations statewide, as well as two virtual hearings. In response to requests from local governments and stakeholders for more time to review the proposals, ORES extended the public comment period.
After issuing revised rules in October 2025 based on feedback from stakeholders and experience with previous permitting processes, ORES further streamlined procedures while maintaining environmental protections and community considerations.
“The approved RAPID Act regulations will enable ORES to refine its permitting practices and enable the development of new renewable generation and transmission projects that create new clean energy, strengthen grid reliability, and support new good-paying jobs,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “These regulations will be essential to the state’s need to integrate new, clean generation and replace our existing aging infrastructure to meet rising electric demand.”
More than 2,000 comments were submitted regarding both the proposed rules and a draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement. As a result, several provisions were significantly revised. Changes include updated pre-application steps; modified scoping for alternative routes for major transmission facilities; revised procedures for upgrades within existing rights-of-way; increased engagement with local governments; and adjusted noise standards for renewable energy sites.
According to officials, these changes could reduce permit issuance times by up to half.
The RAPID Act was enacted in April 2024 to consolidate oversight of environmental review, permitting, and siting of large-scale renewable energy projects under ORES. The law authorizes ORES—working with the Department of Public Service (DPS), which supports the Commission—to set rules governing how major electric transmission facilities are sited throughout New York State. The updated process aims to provide clearer expectations for applicants from pre-application through construction planning while balancing fast decision-making with environmental safeguards.
Since 2021, New York has approved 35 large-scale solar and wind projects totaling 4.4 gigawatts of capacity—29 permitted by ORES since its creation to accelerate renewables development—and four others under earlier statutes governing such projects over 25 megawatts.
ORES plans continued collaboration with agencies including the Department of Environmental Conservation; Department of Transportation; Department of State; Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation’s State Historic Preservation Office; as well as other DPS offices when reviewing future applications under RAPID Act guidelines.
Information about today’s decision is available on www.dps.ny.gov by searching Case Number 24-M-0433 or by contacting the Commission’s Files Office in Albany.
