City Council unanimously passes bill to explore putting power lines underground

The City Council yesterday unanimously passed a bill to explore the possibility of moving New York City's power lines underground. The bill requires the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability (OLTPS) to conduct a study that will determine where in the city relocation of the power lines would be most effective and help strengthen the infrastructure in the wake ofSuperstorm Sandy.

Sandy left nearly 2 million New York City residents without power. Areas with underground power lines had service restored within a few days, but the neighborhoods with above-ground power lines were without service for weeks in some cases, according to the City Council's office.