Public Service Department

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.

Organization and Staffing

The Public Service Commission consists of five members who are nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Chairman serves as the chief executive officer of the Department, which operates offices in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Long Island and Syracuse.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends funding of approximately $101.4 million, an increase of approximately $7.9 million from FY 2017 budget levels, for the Department's role in utility regulation and ratemaking, as well as storm response and public safety oversight. The year-to-year increase will be used to reconcile the Department's outstanding General State Charges. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 520 employees, unchanged from FY 2017 levels.

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)

Program Highlights

The Department’s budget has two programs. The Administration program, supports the Public Service Commission and Department activities. The Regulation program undertakes activities to ensure fair and reasonable rates, monitor service standards, address consumer complaints, promote efficient operation and ensure that industry construction programs meet safety and environmental requirements.

The Department will continue the following priorities in the coming year:

Ensure just and reasonable utility rates, along with safe and adequate electric, gas, steam, and telecommunications service.
Continue the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) which is fundamentally transforming the way electricity is distributed and used in the State. Under REV, New York is spurring innovation to create a power system that uses more distributed, resilient, and cleaner sources of supply to ensure New York customers benefit from cleaner and more affordable electricity.
Enhance energy efficiency while promoting clean and renewable electric generation through the Clean Energy Standard, which mandates that 50 percent of all electricity consumed in New York by 2030 comes from clean and renewable energy sources.
Conduct complete electric transmission siting reviews, oversee the responsible development of a smart electric grid, and ensure the safety of the State’s natural gas pipelines.
Educate consumers and resolve consumer-utility disputes to ensure fair and responsible utility service.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category	Available FY 2017	Appropriations Recommended FY 2018	Change From FY 2017	Reappropriations Recommended FY 2018
State Operations	87,730,000	95,672,000	7,942,000	5,500,000
Aid To Localities	5,750,000	5,750,000	0	5,750,000
Total	93,480,000	101,422,000	7,942,000	11,250,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program	FY 2017 Estimated FTEs 03/31/17	FY 2018 Estimated FTEs 03/31/18	FTE Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Other	65	65	0
Regulation of Utilities
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	25	25	0
Special Revenue Funds - Other	430	430	0
Total	520	520	0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type	Available FY 2017	Recommended FY 2018	Change
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	5,500,000	5,500,000	0
Special Revenue Funds - Other	82,230,000	90,172,000	7,942,000
Total	87,730,000	95,672,000	7,942,000
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) From
Special Pay Bill
General Fund	(1,710,000)
Appropriated FY 2017	86,020,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2017	Recommended FY 2018	Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Other	12,761,000	12,761,000	0
Regulation of Utilities
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	5,500,000	5,500,000	0
Special Revenue Funds - Other	69,469,000	77,411,000	7,942,000
Total	87,730,000	95,672,000	7,942,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Personal Service
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Administration	12,761,000	0	7,234,000	0
Regulation of Utilities	82,911,000	7,942,000	41,127,000	(1,060,000)
Total	95,672,000	7,942,000	48,361,000	(1,060,000)

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2018 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Nonpersonal Service
Program	Amount	Change
Administration	5,527,000	0
Regulation of Utilities	41,784,000	9,002,000
Total	47,311,000	9,002,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type	Available FY 2017	Recommended FY 2018	Change
Special Revenue Funds - Other	5,750,000	5,750,000	0
Total	5,750,000	5,750,000	0

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2017	Recommended FY 2018	Change
Regulation of Utilities
Special Revenue Funds - Other	5,750,000	5,750,000	0
Total	5,750,000	5,750,000	0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2017

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