N.Y. Transp. Corp. Law § 27
Any such corporation may erect, construct and maintain the necessary fixtures for its lines upon, over or under any of the public roads, streets and highways; and through, across or under any of the waters within the limits of this state, and may erect, construct and maintain its necessary stations, plants, equipment or lines upon, through or over any other land, subject to the right of the owners thereof to full compensation for the same. If any such corporation can not agree with such owner or owners upon the compensation to be paid therefor, such compensation shall be ascertained in the manner provided in the eminent domain procedure law. Any such corporation is authorized, from time to time, to construct and lay lines of electrical conductors under ground in any city, village or town within the limits of this state, subject to all the provisions of law in reference to such companies not inconsistent with this section; provided that such corporation shall, before laying any such line in any city, village or town of this state, first obtain from the common council of cities, or other body having like jurisdiction therein, the trustees of villages, or the town superintendents of towns, permission to use the streets within such city, village or town for the purposes herein set forth. Nothing in this section shall limit, alter, or affect the provisions or powers relating or granted to telegraph corporations heretofore created by special act of the legislature of this state, except in so far as to confer on any such corporation the right to lay electrical conductors under ground.
N.Y. Transp. Corp. Law § 27