Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) announced his support for bipartisan legislation, bill A.0982, which recently passed in the Assembly. The bill would create a statewide Grid Modernization Commission—a group tasked with studying New York’s electric system and recommending upgrades to improve reliability and keep costs down. The goal is to make sure the state’s power grid is dependable, affordable and able to meet future energy needs.

The primary goals of the commission would be to identify where New York’s electric grid needs improvement and study how to expand high-voltage transmission lines each year to meet those needs.

“This legislation is about taking a smarter, more responsible approach to our energy future,” said Meghan Hurlburt, Assemblyman Brian Maher’s chief of staff. “We need to ensure our grid is reliable and affordable for families and businesses while also planning for long-term demand. By bringing experts together to study our system and recommend practical solutions, we can make better decisions that protect ratepayers and strengthen our energy infrastructure.”

The commission would also work to identify the most efficient and cost-effective technologies while supporting research and development efforts needed to improve grid performance. Over time, this process would help advance new, reliable energy solutions and ensure New York is prepared to meet future energy demands without sacrificing reliability or affordability.