BILL NUMBER: S4902
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring cell
towers to be equipped with a back-up power source in case of a power
outage
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation would require every owner or operator of macro cell
tower sites to the extent practicable equip the infrastructure with an
emergency back-up power source using renewable energy, fuel cell elec-
tric generating equipment or a storage system cable of powering the site
for a minimum of seventy two hours.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 states that every owner or operator of macro cell tower sites
in the State to the extent practicable shall equip all macro cell tower
sites with emergency back-up power sources capable of providing adequate
power to maintain operation of these sites. These backup sources shall
use renewable energy systems, fuel cell electric generating equipment or
energy storage systems capable of powering a site for a minimum of
seventy two hours. Further this section defines macro cell tower sites
for purposes of this section. Section 2 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Everyone who owns a cell phone has experienced a moment of momentary
service loss, often leaving people in desperate search of better recep-
tion.When we imagine this scenario on a larger scale because the cellu-
lar network infrastructure you depend on has no power. While some may
see this a simple inconvenience, it could pose as a significant public
safety emergency. Without the ability to dial 911, individuals are
unable to connect with emergency services putting their lives in danger.
This legislation's goal is to protect and save human life by ensuring
cellular network infrastructure has a backup energy plan for when that
infrastructure loses power.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S2996/A88 - Died in Energy & Telecommunications/Died in
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
2021-2022: S695B/A3921A - Died in Energy and Telecommunications/Died in
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
2019-2020: S8893/A10988 - Died in Rules/Died in Corporations, Authori-
ties and Commissions
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day.