Why It Matters

New York Transco’s expanded lobbying push arrives as Congress grapples with an electricity crisis. The New York Independent System Operator warned that New York City faces power reliability violations beginning in 2026, with Long Island following in 2027, and the Propel New York project was specifically flagged as critical to preventing shortages.

The hiring of McBride Consulting alongside existing work by Holland & Knight LLP represents a strategic expansion—McBride handles ground-level community engagement while Holland & Knight manages federal policy.

By the Numbers

New York Transco entered federal lobbying in March 2025, with combined spending of $365,000 across both firms. Several bills directly affecting transmission permitting are advancing in Congress—including the SPEED and Reliability Act, the Offshore Energy Modernization Act, and the Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act. McBride Consulting’s explicit focus on community opposition and environmental regulations signals that local political viability has become as important as federal legislative wins.

Robert McBride has exclusively represented New York Transco since March 2025, filing six disclosures totaling $120,000 concentrated on the Propel New York project.
Records show no documented congressional work experience for McBride, suggesting his expertise lies in state and local government relations. His firm filed seven total disclosures for $165,000 across Energy/Nuclear, Environmental/Superfund, and Utilities issue areas.

The Agenda

New York Transco ‘s focus is the Propel New York transmission project which is designed to deliver offshore wind power to Long Island and the broader New York region. McBride Consulting leads community and stakeholder outreach while addressing environmental concerns and federal regulations.

Key legislation in play: the SPEED and Reliability Act would streamline federal authorization for major transmission projects; the Offshore Energy Modernization Act establishes national offshore wind permitting goals; and the Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act requires federal standards for interregional electricity transfer.

Broader Context

Congress is urgently focused on modernizing the nation’s aging grid. Data centers and AI are driving electricity demand to unprecedented levels, with U.S. data centers projected to consume up to 12 percent of all electricity by 2028. Transmission infrastructure has become a fundamental bottleneck—1,700 GW of renewable capacity remains waiting to connect to the grid globally.

Bipartisan momentum is building: the Senate introduced the REWIRE Act to ease environmental permitting, while the House passed legislation to streamline energy project permitting. Still, residents and environmental groups have clashed during Propel NY public hearings, underscoring why New York Transco engaged specialized community outreach support.

Between The Lines

Recent Senate hearings on permitting reform and House Energy and Commerce Committee hearings on grid reliability have featured direct testimony from NYISO—the entity that awarded Propel New York to New York Transco—highlighting the project’s national significance. The Energizing Our Communities Act, introduced by Rep. Sean Casten, proposes investing federal loan revenues into communities hosting transmission infrastructure, directly supporting McBride Consulting’s outreach mandate.

Competitive Landscape

Edison International, LS Power Group, American Transmission Co. LLC, and Omaha Public Power District all maintain active federal presences on transmission siting and permitting reform. Shared focus on legislation like the SPEED and Reliability Act creates coalition opportunities, but New York Transco must distinguish Propel New York in a crowded advocacy landscape.

The Bottom Line

New York Transco LLC is expanding its federal lobbying presence to advance the Propel New York transmission project. Hiring McBride Consulting for community outreach—alongside Holland & Knight for federal policy—signals real local opposition challenges. With Congress actively debating transmission permitting reform, New York Transco’s single-project focus distinguishes it from broader industry players competing for regulatory attention.

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