Creates the state office of the utility consumer advocate

• Democratic35
• Republican5

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Jessica Scarcella-Spanton says this is needed

Currently more than 40 states and the District of Columbia have an inde- pendent state agency that represents the interests of residential utili- ty customers. New York is one of few states, and by far the largest, without such an independent office. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, . Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee, consumers in New York have been left without a voice and real representation when it comes to utility services. This bill would create the State Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate to serve as an independent advocate and appear on behalf of New York consumers in state and federal regulatory proceedings, as well as judi- cial review proceedings concerning rates and conditions of public service utilities. Currently the Public Service Commission as well as the Utility Intervention Unit, a division of the Department of State, represent consumers in New York. Neither of them is able to act solely on behalf of the interest of consumers. The Public Service Commission mediates the competing interests of utili- ties and others in their proceedings to develop facts upon which their decisions are ultimately based. The utility providers as well as large commercial and industrial customers have an active and able presence in such proceedings; however, there is a glaring lack of input from any parties representing consumers. The Utility Intervention Unit operates under the direction of the Secretary of the State, who has created a non-statutory subordinate at-will position for the Director of the Util- ity Intervention Unit. The Utility Consumer Advocate would be appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and would serve a term of six years similar to the Chairman of the Public Service Commission. Therefore, the Utility Consumer Advocate would not be an at-will employ- ee subject to removal without cause by the Secretary of State or Gover- nor. This would allow for actual independent action on behalf of resi- dential consumers without the concern of removal for such action. The recent (August 2020) Tropical Storm Isaias shows the need for this legislation. According to Newsday - "PSEG, which serves 1.1 million customers on the Island and the Rockaways, saw an almost complete break- down of its communication systems, rendering almost useless the more than $1 billion in ratepayer and taxpayer-funded upgrades to computer systems, telecom networks, its website and text-in outage system, smart meters and the regional grid." https://vvvvw.newsday.com/long-island/storm-pseg-li-isaias1.47882102 In other states where such an office exists, residential consumers have seen drastic savings in comparison to the actual amount of funding that goes to these offices. California's Division of Ratepayer Advocates lobbied over 200 times on behalf of California consumers and saved them over $4 billion in rates saved and increases avoided; in fact, they estimate that for every $1 spent representing and advocating on behalf of California's public utility customers, the average customer saved $153 per year The creation of an appointed advocate with the powers allotted in this bill would give New York utility customers a voice at the table, save them a considerable amount of money when it comes to the utilities they use every day. Sponsors continue to disagree with the vetoes of this legislation. Further recent 28.8% increase in electricity prices, the highest over- the-month increase in CPI history just points to the need for such an advocate. (https://www.amny.com/news/surging-electr cityprices-fuelin- ginflation-nice)

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.