Public Service Department

Agency Web Site: http://www.dps.ny.gov/

Mission

The primary mission of the New York State Department of Public Service is to ensure safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York State’s residential and business consumers, at just and reasonable rates. The Department also oversees the siting of major electric and gas transmission lines and facilities, and ensures the safety of natural gas and liquid petroleum pipelines. The Department seeks to stimulate innovation, strategic infrastructure investment, consumer awareness, competitive markets where feasible, and the use of resources in an efficient and environmentally sound manner.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends $86.6 million for the Department, an increase of $4.3 million from the 2012-13 budget. This growth reflects an increase in local assistance funding for electric transmission projects and new funding for a wholesale market consumer advocacy initiative.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 496 employees for the Department, the same level as 2012-13. This staffing level reflects the transfer of 28 IT employees to the Office of Information Technology Services in 2012-13 as part of the statewide IT consolidation. The 496 staffing level is consistent with the recommendation of the Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response, and the IT consolidation will have no programmatic impact on the Department or its ability to increase its enforcement capabilities, as recommended by the Commission.

Major budget actions include:

• $1 million for a wholesale market consumer advocacy initiative, to be operated in conjunction with the Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection. The initiative, funded from a Federal settlement with a major utility, will provide advocacy on behalf of New York's electric consumers on utility rate issues.
• An increase in local assistance funding of $3.25 million, in anticipation of additional electric transmission line siting projects in 2013-14 as part of the Governor's Energy Highway Initiative. The funding, which is provided by entities proposing to site electric generation and transmission facilities, can be accessed by local governments and community groups to fund intervention activities related to the review process.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Environment and Energy (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/22/2013

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables