“The first of four bills before me today is Introductory Number 985-A, sponsored by Council Members Comrie, Arroyo, Crowley, Cabrera, Dickens, Fidler, Gentile, Greenfield, James, Koslowitz, Palma, Vallone, Williams, Chin, Nelson, Rodriguez, Koppell, Gonzalez, Vacca, Jackson, King, Rose, Dromm, Weprin, Garodnick, Barron, Levin, Eugene, Gennaro, Koo, Lappin, Halloran and Ulrich.

“During major storms many above ground power lines are susceptible to failure or damage as a result of falling trees and strong winds.  This legislation will require that a report be commissioned by the Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability that studies weather related outages of both above ground power lines and below ground power lines, and their associated costs.  This report will include recommendations of where it may be practical to consider relocating above ground power lines to underground locations.

“I would like to thank Director of the Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability Sergej Mahnovski and his staff for working on this bill along with my Office of City Legislative Affairs.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”