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.

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 $95.4 million, a decrease of $6 million from FY 2018 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 decrease is due to the elimination of one-time funding included in FY 2018 that allowed the Department to reconcile outstanding General State Charges. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 520 employees, unchanged from FY 2018 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.
• Implement 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.
• Provide regulatory oversight of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's administration of the Clean Energy Fund. Similarly, the Department will continue to monitor progress towards achieving the goals of the Clean Energy Standard, which, in part, mandates that 50 percent of all electricity consumed in New York by 2030 comes from clean and renewable energy sources.
• Conduct 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.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/16/2018