Requires all new residential and commercial units in Suffolk and Nassau counties, including all structures that have realized repairs or improvements that are equal to or greater than fifty percent of the structure's value, to install underground service drops at such locations.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A5825
SPONSOR: Brown E
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to underground elec-
trical services in Suffolk and Nassau counties
 
PURPOSE:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to underground elec-
trical services in Suffolk and Nassau counties
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 54
to read as follows:
§ 54. Underground electrical wires. 1. All new residential and commer-
cial units in Suffolk and Nassau counties, including all structures that
have realized repairs or improvements that are equal to or greater than
fifty percent of the structure's value, shall be required to install
underground service drops at such locations. All services shall be pole
to meter in existing overhead pole locations and pad mount transformers
from pad to meter in new developments of single-family homes of twenty
units or greater. 2. For the purposes of this section, the term "service
drop" shall mean an overhead power connection from the utility lines to
the service entrance.
Section Two is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
One of the greatest benefits of underground electrical wires is they are
significantly safer than aboveground lines. Storms can cause pole-mount-
ed power lines to break, putting individuals at risk of electrocution.
In severe weather, a power pole could fall on a house or vehicle. Under-
ground electrical service eliminates these weather-related hazards.
If you have aboveground power lines, your home is more likely to lose
power because lines can be knocked down by tree branches or severe
weather. Underground electrical installation reduces the risk of your
home losing power due to a weather-related event.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5825
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 23, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. E. BROWN, DeSTEFANO, FITZPATRICK, BENDETT, GRAY,
CURRAN, GANDOLFO, MAHER, K. BROWN, MIKULIN -- read once and referred
to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to underground elec-
trical services in Suffolk and Nassau counties
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section
2 54 to read as follows:
3 § 54. Underground electrical wires. 1. All new residential and commer-
4 cial units in Suffolk and Nassau counties, including all structures that
5 have realized repairs or improvements that are equal to or greater than
6 fifty percent of the structure's value, shall be required to install
7 underground service drops at such locations. All services shall be pole
8 to meter in existing overhead pole locations and pad mount transformers
9 from pad to meter in new developments of single-family homes of twenty
10 units or greater.
11 2. For the purposes of this section, the term "service drop" shall
12 mean an overhead power connection from the utility lines to the service
13 entrance.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
15 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
16 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
17 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
18 completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09791-01-3