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 affordable, safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York State’s residential and business consumers, while protecting the natural environment. The Department seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets that benefit New York consumers through strategic investments, as well as product and service innovations. 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.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends funding of approximately $90.5 million, a decrease of approximately $1.7 million from FY 2016 budget levels, for the Department's role in utility regulation and ratemaking, as well as storm response and public safety oversight. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 508 employees, a decrease of 17 employees from FY 2016 levels.

The decreased funding and staffing levels will be achieved through legislation that will streamline the procedural requirements for municipal electric and gas utility rate cases, and extend the Department’s statutory review period for investor owned utility rate increase requests, from eleven to fifteen months.

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 01/13/2016

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables