Electric utilities and their regulators around the country are working to identify grid infrastructure needs and implement upgrades in time to meet customer electrification demand. Most utilities are working within existing regulatory processes, while some utilities are working to determine new procedures capable of meeting accelerated electrification timelines. With the Proactive Planning proceeding, New York joins California as an early mover in formalizing a process to support electric grid planning. California similarly has several ongoing rulemaking proceedings tasked with preparing the electric grid for an increase in energy demands, including those specific to transportation electrification.
On August 15, 2024, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC), the state’s public utilities regulator, initiated the Proactive Planning proceeding (24-E-0364). In its published proceeding order, the PSC outlined its goals to improve New York’s electric grid planning process and explained the process timeline and requirements of state regulated electric utilities. The primary objectives of this multi-year proceeding were fulfilled when the PSC released a decision in September 2025 approving an electric grid planning framework to accelerate grid infrastructure upgrade timelines. Additionally, a proactive grid planning methodology was finalized in November 2025 that will apply to all regulated utilities.
The policy brief “New York’s proactive grid planning proceeding” published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) summarizes the main developments of New York’s Proactive Planning proceeding pertaining to transportation electrification. The update discusses the timeline, key decisions, and outcomes of the proceeding, capturing the main information useful for potential market entrants or interested regulators from other states with description of two urgent upgrade projects approved by the PSC to offer examples of early implementation.
Access the brief here