NY State Proposing Utilities Prepare For Climate Change

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Monday that his office will propose legislation requiring electric and gas utilities to ensure that the services they provide are properly protected from the impacts of climate change.

The proposal would require utilities to assess their systems' vulnerability to climate change and to document how they intend to address these risks.

Recent reports have documented climate impacts that are already occuring, and that are projected to worsen in the coming years. Many of the impacts, including more severe and frequent storms, rising sea levels and more extreme and frequent heatwaves, are expected to put further strain on the electric and gas systems upon which nearly all New Yorkers rely.