New York Senate Bill S08095

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/15/25
• Refer: 5/15/25

Caption

Requires a mitigation ratio of three acres of mitigation for every acre of occupied grassland bird breeding habitat and one acre of mitigation for every acre of grassland bird wintering habitat included in a major electric transmission facility siting permit.

Impact

This legislation has significant implications for state environmental law, particularly concerning how electric transmission projects will interact with designated conservation areas. The mandated ratios aim to enhance conservation efforts by ensuring that habitat loss is compensated through extensive mitigation strategies. This could lead to more careful consideration by developers about the locations of electric projects, potentially resulting in delays as additional resources are allocated to meet the new environmental standards set forth by the bill.

Summary

Bill S08095 introduces a regulation concerning the siting permits for major electric transmission facilities in the state of New York. Specifically, it mandates a mitigation ratio whereby if the site of a proposed facility includes grassland bird breeding habitats or wintering habitats, a specific amount of mitigation must occur. The bill specifies that for each acre of occupied grassland breeding habitat impacted, three acres of mitigation are required, and for each acre of wintering habitat, one acre must be mitigated. This reflects the state’s commitment to protecting grassland bird species and their habitats from potential disruptions caused by infrastructure projects.

Contention

The bill may face contention as it places additional requirements on companies proposing new electric transmission facilities. Proponents argue that this is a necessary step to ensure the protection of vulnerable species that rely on these grassland habitats. Conversely, opponents may raise concerns regarding the economic implications for utility providers and the potential delay of energy infrastructure development. The balance between infrastructure expansion and environmental stewardship continues to be a point of debate among stakeholders in New York's legislative and environmental communities.