The following Viewpoint is written by Drew McMullin, an associate environmental project manager at Burns & McDonnell In February 2026, the New York State Public Service Commission approved regulations implementing the RAPID Act, creating the new Article VIII framework governing the siting and permitting of major electric transmission facilities and renewable energy generation projects. The final regulations, which went into effect on March 9, 2026, are a significant change from the previous regulations required by the New York Dept. of Public Service (DPS) under Article VII and the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) Part 94c. The RAPID Act aims to streamline and accelerate the siting and permitting of energy infrastructure. The goal is to help New York deploy renewable energy and transmission facilities more efficiently while advancing the clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.…