Scott Waldman is reporting at Capital New York the chairman of the state Senate Energy Committee on Mon., Jan.6, praised Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's plan to expedite transmission line approvals. He called it a “thumb in the eye” to special interest groups that he said oppose any plans to improve the energy grid. In his State of the State address this week, Cuomo is expected to speed up approval of proposed transmission lines by the state Public Service Commission to 10 months from four years as long as the lines follow existing right-of-ways. Sen. George Maziarz (MAY-zee-ah-rz) said he backs Cuomo's plan because it would make it easier for upstate producers to meet the heavy demand of New York City. The senator did not identify the groups which he was referring to, although opposition to the transmission lines has been primarily locally based. Read the full story at Capital New York.